CBSE takes action after 89% of those surveyed demand disclosure of school financials

New Delhi: There has been much joy in the parent community after action was taken by CBSE through an order requiring schools to disclose detailed financials effective November 30, 2016.

The LocalCircles engagement platform had asked citizens about the need for disclosure of full school financials on their websites and 89 percent of those who responded had demanded that this be implemented on priority.

With the education bodies like CBSE not allowed to regulate fees directly, 81 percent of the citizens want a regulatory body to be created for controlling school fees.

With more than 10,000 people in the survey, around 73 percent also said that schools with profit objectives should be categorised as companies instead of trusts/societies.categorised as companies instead of trusts/societies.

Parents were asked about the quantum of fee hike which is affordable or what it should be linked to as in some schools, the fee hike has been as high as 40 percent. 

Around 41 per cent voted that the hike should be linked to inflation, which is currently in the range of 6-7 percent per annum. Another 20 percent said that the hike should be capped at 10 percent per annum, while 15 percent said it should be linked to the hike in salary by the 7th Pay Commission.

"LocalCircles hopes CBSE will also respond to the need for a fees regulator and clear the way for organisations wanting to set up for-profit schools. Moreover, school fees have to be linked to inflation and should not be raised in a random manner," a statement said.