New School Guidelines: Significant changes have been made to the process of establishing private schools and obtaining recognition from the Board of Secondary Education. The Board’s new recognition guidelines will come into effect from the 2026-27 academic session. Under the new system, the mandatory requirements for an ‘Essentiality Certificate’ and a minimum corpus fund have been abolished. Schools will now be granted recognition based solely on online self-certification. This self-certification must include details regarding the building, laboratories, library, playground, teachers, and student safety; recognition will be granted based on this information. However, if the information provided is later found to be incorrect, action will be taken against the concerned school. Penalties include the suspension or cancellation of recognition as well as financial fines. School operators must provide proof of adequate financial resources. Additionally, an audit report must be submitted within three months of the conclusion of each academic session.
Maximum of 45 students per class
Under the new system, recognition will be granted first for the High School level and subsequently for the Higher Secondary level. A maximum of 45 students will be permitted per class, with a mandatory requirement of six square feet of space per student. A minimum of seven classrooms is mandatory for High Schools. Standards have also been established regarding land and building specifications, fire and general safety measures, CCTV installation, drinking water facilities, separate toilets, and qualified teaching staff.
Private schools cannot use names similar to government schools
Separate land, buildings, principals, and teaching staff must be maintained for Hindi and English medium sections. Furthermore, private schools will be prohibited from using terms such as ‘National,’ ‘International,’ ‘Kendriya,’ ‘PM-SHRI,’ and ‘Swami Atmanand’ in their names. Schools failing to comply with these regulations will not be considered for recognition renewal in the following year. According to Surya Prakash Kashyap, the official in charge of the recognition section at the Bilaspur District Education Office (DEO), several rules regarding recognition have been amended. Applications have been received to operate seven new private schools in the district this session; further action will be taken following the verification of documents.
