The process of appointing Principals for Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) affiliated private schools has just undergone humongous change, as per a circular released on Thursday by the prestigious CBSE Board in India. The new rule mandates interested candidates applying for the role of Principal or Head of Institution, need to undergo a Principal Eligibility Test (PET) based on which they shall be appointed.
This announcement has come post the decision made by the CBSE to get involved directly into the appointment process for principals and institution heads in private schools affiliated under it and hence the mandate for a test to filter out ineligible candidates, and improve the quality of people being assigned a position of such responsibility. There have been numerous incidents of schools operating with no heads or with poorly performing principals, thereby resulting in poor management of staff, students and school affairs.
The Central Board of Secondary Education has also mandated the inclusion of a nominee member, either from the State government or the CBSE board itself, in the Principal selection committee to ensure the said mandate for quality is being correctly adhered to. The Board is very particular about only the most eligible people getting these roles to ensure maintenance of quality education and facilities in every school affiliated to it.
The Board has laid guidelines to have a 5 member selection committee for appointments to such posts, and also clearly stated that two members of the committee shall be appointed by the CBSE board itself or shall be boarded only after approval from the CBSE.