The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made changes to the bylaws governing superannuation and imposed restrictions on the recruitment of principals. Henceforth, principals over the age of 60 will be able to continue in their post only if they are national awardees. They would also need prior approval of the CBSE.
This is the second change in the last one month that the CBSE has made to its bylaws that control recruitment of principals. Until now, there had been no such intervention from CBSE on the recruitment of school principals and state and CBSE awardees could continue in their posts till the age of 65.
Although the CBSE has refrained from citing any reason for this new move, sources say it is part of an ongoing drive against family-owned schools, where the principal and management belong to the same family. The CBSE have also decided to include CBSE and state government nominees in the principal selection committee. These moves are major blows to the monopoly of school managements over hiring of principals.
This decision is in addition to another directive on age cap of principals. Principals can now get an extension of only two more years, beyond the age of 60 years. Joseph Emmanuel, CBSE Board Secretary, has informed schools that the candidate "maybe considered for an extension of service for two years after reaching the age of superannuation, subject to meritorious service, impeccable character, sound health, good leadership, and outstanding results throughout".
The class X and XII board exams may be rescheduled in the second week of March this year, after the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur, which are scheduled from February 11 to March 8.