CISCE found violating RTE by teaching unprescribed syllabus: NCPCR

The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has been found violating the RTE by not teaching curriculum which was prescribed for pre-school and classes till elementary level, apex child rights body NCPCR claimed, directing the board to immediately revoke it.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) shot a letter to Gerry Arathoon, the chief executive and secretary at the CISCE.

Arathoon told PTI that he has received the order and will look into the matter.

The NCPCR is a statutory body formed under CPCR Act to ensure that children enjoy their rights and look into matters related to children from child rights perspective.

NCPCR is specifically monitoring authority for implementation of the Right to Education Act, 2009 and other education-related provisions for children provided under the Constitution of India.

The NCPCR said the National Curriculum Framework should be a universal framework to be followed by all schools coming under the ambit of RTE Act, 2009.

"However, it has been observed by the Commission that the schools affiliated to Boards other than the State Boards are prescribing curriculum for pre-school and classes till elementary level which is violation of RTE Act, 2009," the letter said.

"This has resulted in schools prescribing books other than NCERT/SCERT books and is coercing parents to purchase these books by private publishers," the letter, undersigned by NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanoongo and member Yashwant Jain, said.

The Commission has further directed the CISCE to revoke the curriculum with immediate effect. It also said that the curriculum laid down by the notified academic authority for elementary classes be prescribed in all schools affiliated by the CISCE.

A compliance report be sent to the Commission within 15 days of receipt of this order, it added.

The NCPCR also requested all state education departments to issue necessary directions to the CISCE affiliated schools within 15 days of receipt of this order.

"The directions include to revoke the curriculum developed by CISCE and prescribed in their schools with immediate effect and ensure the implementation in each and every school of the state. The CISCE's curriculum has not been endorsed by the NCERT," it said.

The NCPCR also directed the NCERT to take necessary action as required at their end.