CBSE directs schools not to withhold admit cards of students due to performance in pre-board tests

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has taken a serious view of schools withholding admit cards of students due to their performance in the pre-board tests. The board has written to the heads of all schools affiliated to it, directing them to refrain from doing so.

A report in The Times of India states that the CBSE wrote the letter after receiving numerous complaints of schools detaining students on the basis of their pre-board results. These tests are internal assessments conducted by the schools to evaluate the performance of students before the actual board examinations.

“It may be noted that the Board issues admit cards only to those candidates (who) have been sponsored by schools in their finalised list of candidates of Class 10/12. Therefore, the school has already confirmed eligibility of such candidates for appearing in Board examinations. This being the position, it is reiterated that holding of admit card/not allowing eligible candidates to appear in practical/theory examination in class 10/12 is violative of CBSE examination bye-laws. The school will also not charge any fee for issue of admit card to the eligible candidate,” the CBSE’s letter states.

The circular refers to Rule 15 of the Examination Bye-Laws which states that heads of affiliated schools cannot detain eligible candidates from appearing for the examination in any case.