As a parent, you have every right to know where your money goes and whether your child’s school meets basic safety and quality standards. But many CBSE schools are quietly ignoring transparency rules—and your child might be paying the price.
The Shocking Truth: Schools Are Breaking the Rules
Imagine discovering that your child’s school doesn’t have a valid fire safety certificate. Or finding out that the teacher-to-student ratio is far worse than what you were told during admission. This isn’t a hypothetical scenario—it’s happening right now because many CBSE schools are simply refusing to share mandatory information with parents.
Since 2021, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has required ALL affiliated schools to publicly display critical information on their websites. Yet, three years later, many schools are still playing hide-and-seek with essential details that directly impact your child’s safety, education quality, and your financial investment.
Your Right to Know: What Schools MUST Share (But Often Don’t)
The CBSE mandate is crystal clear. Every school website should have a clearly visible “Mandatory Public Disclosure” link on their homepage. Here’s what you should be able to find with just a few clicks:
🏫 Basic School Information
- Complete address and contact details
- Principal’s name and qualifications
- Official school codes and affiliation numbers
📋 Legal and Safety Documents (The Big One!)
- Fire safety certificates – Is your child safe in case of emergency?
- Building safety certificates – Is the infrastructure sound?
- Water and health certificates – Is the environment hygienic?
- Recognition certificates under the Right to Education Act
- NOC and registration documents – Is the school even legally authorized?
💰 Financial Transparency
- Complete fee structure – No more surprise charges!
- School Management Committee details – Who’s really running the show?
👨🏫 Academic Quality Indicators
- Total number of teachers and their qualifications
- Student-teacher ratios – Is your child getting enough attention?
- Last three years’ board exam results – How well is the school really performing?
- Details of special educators and counselors
🏗️ Infrastructure Details
- Campus area and classroom sizes
- Laboratory facilities and internet connectivity
- Video tour of school infrastructure – See what you’re paying for!
Red Flags: Warning Signs Your School Might Be Non-Compliant
🚩 Check your child’s school website RIGHT NOW. If you can’t easily find:
- A prominent “Mandatory Public Disclosure” link on the homepage
- Recent fire and building safety certificates
- Clear fee structure breakdown
- Updated teacher qualification details
- Last three years’ board exam results
Your school might be violating CBSE regulations.
Why Schools Hide This Information (And Why It Matters to You)
Schools often avoid transparency because:
- Expired safety certificates put children at risk
- Hidden fee structures allow for arbitrary charges
- Poor academic results don’t attract new admissions
- Inadequate teacher ratios reveal quality compromises
- Lack of proper facilities doesn’t justify high fees
What You Can Do RIGHT NOW
Step 1: Investigate Your School
Visit your child’s school website immediately. Look for the “Mandatory Public Disclosure” section. If it’s missing or incomplete, you have grounds for concern.
Step 2: Ask Direct Questions
Don’t hesitate to approach the school administration and ask:
- “Where can I find your mandatory public disclosure information?”
- “Can you show me your current fire safety certificate?”
- “What’s the actual teacher-student ratio in my child’s class?”
Step 3: Know Your Rights
Remember: The CBSE can take action against schools that don’t comply. Your voice as a parent matters in ensuring compliance.
Step 4: Connect with Other Parents
Share this information with other parents. Collective awareness and action are powerful tools for driving school accountability.
The Bottom Line: Your Child’s Safety and Education Quality Depend on Transparency
This isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about your peace of mind, your child’s safety, and ensuring you get value for the substantial fees you pay. Schools that hide information often have something to hide.
Don’t let your child’s school operate in the shadows. You deserve transparency, and your child deserves better.
Take Action Today: Check your child’s school website now. If the mandatory information isn’t easily accessible, it’s time to ask why. Your child’s future is too important to leave to chance.
Have you found transparency issues with your child’s CBSE school? Your experience could help other parents make informed decisions.
