CBSE restructures affiliation system; process to be completely digital with least human intervention

CHENNAI: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), in a recent circular, said it is restructuring the affiliation system for schools and making the process completely digital and based on data analytics with minimal human intervention. The new system, which will be implemented from March 1, has been designed as per the recommendations in the new National Education Policy (NEP).

The board said it is "restructuring the affiliation system and process as per the various recommendations for systemic reforms laid down in the NEP". Although the CBSE affiliation system has been online since 2006, the restructured system will be completely digital and based on data analytics, CBSE secretary Anurag Tripathi said in the circular.

The board will soon come out with detailed guidelines on the restructured system. The restructuring will help in establishing "ease of doing business in the CBSE affiliation system", attaining the goal of minimum government and maximum governance, automated and datadriven decisions, achieving transparency, bringing more accountability in systemic processes and achieving quick and time-bound disposal of applications, Tripathi added.

"A detailed document on the CBSE affiliation system containing the restructured online procedure for affiliation, documents required, modalities and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for inspection, guidelines for the inspection committee, videos for various processes, will be released soon," he said.

The board has also revised timelines for the application process as per the restructured system.  According to the revised timeline, every year, the window for fresh affiliation and upgradation of affiliation will open thrice —- March 1 to 31, June 1 to 30 and September 1 to 30.

Applications for extension of affiliation will be accepted from March 1 to May 31 every year. Other applications, such as those for additional subjects, section increase, change of the name of a school , and change of society or trust, will be accepted through the year.

Before applying for affiliation, schools must ensure they meet all mandatory requirements as the affiliation byelaws. This includes all necessary certification. After the online submission of applications, details provided by schools will be analysed and an inspection committee will be formed.

The CBSE had introduced a facility for virtual inspection of schools for upgradation of affiliation in August last year in view of the lockdown. The board is also in the process of setting up a facilitation centre to address queries, and problems of schools and inspection committees related to the virtual inspection.

One-month English course for government school teachers

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government will facilitate a 30-day English training programme for primary school teachers in Bengaluru in February. The Department of Elementary Education has
collaborated with the Regional Institute of English, South India (RIESI), which will conduct the workshop from February 15 to March 16.

The initiative is being undertaken to improve the language skills
of English teachers in government schools, especially as more government schools are changing their medium of instruction to English. In a letter to all Chief Education Officers, the director of
Elementary Education asked them to nominate teachers for the training and submit a digital list by Friday.