CBSE order puts schools in fix

Not enough seats in preferred class 12 streams; hard to implement guidelines

Delhi schools say limited seats for different streams after class 10 prevent them from abiding by the recent CBSE circular on admission guidelines for class 11.

Alarmed by rising incidence of schools exploiting class 11 students who change streams or subject combinations, the board has now framed guidelines to ensure that students’ careers are not put at stake.

HC directive

In January, the Delhi High Court had directed the Central Board of Secondary Education  to frame guidelines after a private school had shifted a student from science to commerce stream in the middle of the academic year.

Before the declaration of class 10 results, children are given the freedom to choose their streams based on their performance in the pre-boards and unit tests.

However, if the result is not up to the mark, schools force children to change streams and charge additional fee from parents for the purpose.

In a bid to curb this practice, the CBSE has asked schools not to charge these students any additional fee.

After the board results, if a student switches to another stream, the schools have been directed to bear the expenses of the new set of textbooks.

They will also have to help the student cope up with special coaching classes at no added cost.

However, the schools say it will be difficult to implement this.

“It is impractical and difficult for schools to organise additional classes. Parents have set a new trend of forcing children to opt for science stream. But if a child is unable to cope with the subject we will have to ensure that his future does not get spoilt,” said Cynthia Manoharan, manager St Thomas School.

Cannot accommodate

Ameeta Wattal, Principal Springdales School, said it was not possible for schools to accommodate every child.

 “Streams have specific number of seats and children are given admission according to their gate point average. If there are 45 seats I can’t push it to 50.

“HC’s strict orders say schools can’t force children to change streams but limited seats is an issue,” she said.

Also, L V Sehgal, Principal Bal Bharati School, argued that “by and large children fare well in their board exams and get their desired streams.”