The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to accord one-time relaxation to schools upon furnishing the relevant safety certificates, thereby granting approval to the educational institutions which had applied under SARAS for various categories in the upcoming 2022-23 session.
The decision comes in the wake of reports that several schools faced problems in procuring mandatory documents required as per Affiliation Bye-Laws 2018, as the government offices in many states are not functioning with full strength due to COVID-19 pandemic.
In absence of mandatory certificate(s), the applications under SARAS for session 2022-23 are getting rejected and schools needs to apply afresh with the requisite fees.
“To avoid hardship to schools/ students, the Competent Authority of the Board, after due consideration has accorded one time relaxation for furnishing relevant safety certificates, thereby granting approval to the schools that had applied under SARAS for the following categories of school for session 2022-23,” the CBSE circular read.
Category of Application
1. Extension of Affiliation
2.Section increase
3 Introduction of additional subject
4 Permission of two shifts
5 Permission of name change of school/ society (as per status of school)
6 Transfer of school from one society to another
CBSE Affiliation: Directions which schools must follow:
For categories under serial no. 02 to 06, applicant schools must ensure submission in the SARAS portal category specific documentary requirement as per the Affiliation Bye-Laws, 2018. However, the above mentioned categories schools must update the Mandatory Certificates under the Mandatory Public Disclosure on the school website with a prominent icon levelled as “Mandatory Public Disclosure” in compliance to Board’s Circular dated 21.05.2021, during the running of the school to ensure safety of the students.
1. All cases of extension of affiliation registered upto session 2022-23 shall be granted extension for a period of 05 years irrespective of the stage where application is pending i.e. be at scrutiny level, Inspection Committee level, Deficiency/ compliance level etc.
2. The school shall ensure the availability of fire safety, building safety and all other mandatory certificates which should be valid and renewed on the day of operation and during running of the school, so that the safety of the students are ensured.
3. The school shall maintain records of certificates, compliances, data and other relevant information and shall be fully responsible to produce all such records before Board and appropriate government authorities as and when asked for. Noncompliance of the norms shall attract penal provisions under clause 12 of the Affiliation Bye Laws.
4. The school will also ensure that it is in possession of the all documents/certificates as specified in clause 2.5.5 of Affiliation Bye-Laws, 2018.
5. The extension of affiliation is being granted as one time measure. However, the cases where the Show Cause Notice were communicated or grievance / legal cases are pending against the school, the Board will take further decision in this matter in due course as per relevant clause(s) of Affiliation Bye-Laws 2018.
6. In respect of above mentioned categories of schools, the Board reserves the right to conduct inspection as per clause 11.2 and 11.4 of Affiliation Bye Laws, 2018.
7. In already rejected cases, registered in the SARAS portal for 2022-23 session, the cases shall be considered on suo-moto basis.