CBSE tells affiliate schools to fix service rules

Concerned over complaints from private school teachers across the country over delays in pay and partial payments, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has asked affiliated schools to frame service rules and follow them.

“A number of complaints have been received against affiliated schools alleging payment of partial salary, delay in disbursement of salary and allowances, promotion and non-availability of welfare measures for teachers, retaining the teachers after schools hours, engaging them in the non-education activities etc. As a result, the teachers feel de-motivated in pursuing their career in the teaching profession and taking interest in classroom teaching ...” a circular issued by CBSE to more than 18,000 affiliate schools points out.

It has asked all schools to frame service rules and ensure that appointment of teachers and their service conditions are according to the provisions of Right to Education (RTE) Act 2009, respective State Acts and CBSE Affiliation By-laws in its entirety.

Schools have been told that the salary and other allowances to the teachers should be transferred through ECS on the last working day of the month.

Schools have also been asked to establish the internal ‘Grievance Redressal Mechanism’ for the teachers as mandated under RTE Act 2009.

It has also asked schools to prescribe a transparent annual performance appraisal system on the lines similar to Annual performance appraisal report (APAR) under the Central/state Government, which shall be the basis for promotions.

According to a senior CBSE official, the RTE Rules, 2010 make it mandatory that salary, allowances and service conditions of the teachers are appropriately prescribed and notified.

“It has been noticed that in spite of statutory provisions under RTE Act 2009 and Affiliation Bye-Laws, the appointment of teachers with prescribed procedures and qualifications, service condition of the teachers, their professional development and mechanism for redressal of their grievance are not adhered to by some CBSE affiliated schools”.

Schools have also been asked to constitute a sexual harassment committee.