CBSE Class 12 Students Attending ‘Dummy Schools’ To Be Barred From Board Exams – News18

Last Updated:March 27, 2025, 17:51 IST

The issue of dummy schools came into the spotlight when a student from such an institution recently secured the top position in the JEE (Main)

Class 12 students enrolled in ‘dummy schools’ may be prohibited from taking board exams, according to CBSE officials. The board has stressed that both parents and students share the responsibility for regular school attendance and failing to do so will have serious repercussions, reported PTI. The court criticised the practice of students attending coaching centers while being officially enrolled in schools, noting that board exam attendance requirements must be met.

“In case candidates are found missing from school or are found to be non-attending during surprise inspections undertaken by the board, such candidates may not be allowed to appear for the board examination. The onus of not attending regular school also falls on the concerned student and his or her parents,” a senior board official told PTI.

The issue of dummy schools came into the spotlight when a student from such an institution recently secured the top position in the JEE (Main). SGN Public School in Nangloi, where the student was registered, had been disaffiliated last year due to multiple violations, including enrolling students who did not attend classes. A surprise inspection uncovered the school’s non-compliance with CBSE norms, prompting strict action.

The Delhi High Court has also addressed the issue of dummy schools, labeling their operation as a “fraud.” The court has ordered CBSE and the Delhi government to take immediate action. On January 27, 2025, a bench led by Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela directed authorities to enforce attendance standards at these institutions.

CBSE has already taken action against more than 300 dummy schools nationwide, highlighting the importance of traditional schooling. The board noted that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 promotes all-round learning, which is compromised when students prioritise coaching centres over regular schooling.

The Delhi government, however, has minimised the issue, asserting that there is no official definition of ‘dummy schools.’ The court has demanded a detailed affidavit from both CBSE and the state government outlining measures to prevent fraudulent admissions and ensure a well-rounded educational experience for students.