CBSE to start mandatory accreditation of schools under revised framework

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is set to start quality assessment and grading of its schools from next year under a revised framework for mandatory accreditation. “Quality of teaching and students' learning outcome will be the main parameters for accreditation of the schools, not their buildings and other infrastructure. We are going to start it from next year,” a senior official of the board told DH.

The CBSE started accrediting its schools a few years ago, launching School Quality Assessment and Accreditation as a pilot project. The board engaged as many as 12 agencies to conduct the quality assessment exercise. “This, however, was shelved later. We have reworked the accreditation framework to start afresh from next year,” the official added, when asked about the status of a similar move initiated by the board in 2012.

The CBSE is formulating a revised framework for accreditation of schools with the help of the Quality Council of India. More than 18000 schools are affiliated to the board which functions under the Ministry of Human Resource Development. 

The quality assessment to be taken up with main focus on teaching and learning outcomes aims at improving the quality of the schools and education. The accreditation will not only help schools in knowing where do they stand in terms of quality and standards but also help parents make an informed choice of the schools where they want to admit their children. the official said.

“A school’s possession of accredited status can be very assuring to all stakeholders including parents, students. It would give a fair idea about the quality of education that a school offers. It will help people make a clear distinction between a quality school and a school brand,” the official said. Besides, the accreditation exercise is also expected to create an atmosphere where schools would strive to improve the quality of education that they provide, he added.