February 6, 2013, 12:00 am
Despite repeated reminders by Central Board of Secondary Education to all affiliated schools to develop their individual websites, many city institutions have failed to move on this front for more than a year. Interestingly, CBSE has also not initiated any action to make the schools comply with its directions.
The CBSE governing body had on June 29, 2010, resolved to make it mandatory for every affiliated school to develop their websites containing comprehensive information about the school and its management. A CBSE circular directed schools to develop their respective websites by January 5, 2012. Earlier, a circular was issued in October 2010 on the matter.
The proposed websites were to provide information on affiliation status of the schools, details of infrastructure, names and designation of teachers, class- and section-wise enrolment of students, postal and e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, details of member of managing committees etc.
The affiliated schools were expected to come up with individual websites within six months, but the matter has continued to linger for two-and-a-half years.
CBSE regional officer RJ Khanderao said, "The circular was issued in 2010 and 2011 and it is mandatory for schools to adhere to the directive so that requisite information is accessible in public domain."
"It is a gradual process. Every year, schools which get affiliated to CBSE are ordered to develop their websites.
"Schools will slowly implement this order since websites cannot be developed overnight. But we have instructed them to regularly update the already existing websites. Moreover, they will submit annual reports on their websites every September so that we know what they have done so far," added Khanderao.
Of the 113 government schools in Chandigarh, only 5-6 have developed their websites. Of the 79 private schools, many have not come up with their websites. "It is difficult for parents to know the details about schools in the absence of websites. In this age of Internet, people will not be aware of schools that do not have this facility," remarked a parent Rajesh Pratap.
