The Imperative of Mandatory Disclosure on School Websites

In today's digital age, access to information has become more crucial than ever, especially in the realm of education. While schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) are required to publish mandatory disclosures on their websites, the same level of transparency is often lacking in schools affiliated with state and regional boards.

Mandatory disclosures serve as a cornerstone of transparency in the education sector, providing stakeholders with essential information about the school's infrastructure, facilities, faculty, curriculum, and other pertinent details. By making this information readily available on the school's website, parents, students, and the community at large can make informed decisions and hold educational institutions accountable for their practices.

While CBSE-affiliated schools are mandated to publish mandatory disclosures, the absence of a similar requirement for state and regional board-affiliated schools raises concerns about equity and access to information. It is essential to recognize that transparency should not be contingent upon the affiliation of the school but should be a fundamental principle upheld by all educational institutions.

Publishing mandatory disclosures on school websites serves several purposes:

1. Promoting Accountability: By making essential information easily accessible to the public, schools demonstrate accountability and transparency in their operations. Parents and students can hold schools accountable for meeting regulatory requirements and providing quality education.
2. Empowering Stakeholders: Access to information empowers parents to make informed decisions about their children's education. From understanding the school's academic offerings to assessing its infrastructure and facilities, parents can make educated choices that align with their child's needs and aspirations.
3. Fostering Trust and Confidence: Transparency builds trust and confidence among stakeholders, including parents, students, and the community. When schools are open and forthcoming about their policies, practices, and performance, it enhances their credibility and reputation in the eyes of the public.
4. Enhancing Communication: Publishing mandatory disclosures facilitates open communication between the school and its stakeholders. It provides a platform for sharing important updates, announcements, and initiatives, fostering a sense of transparency and collaboration within the school community.

In addition to the transparency challenges faced by state and regional board-affiliated schools, it is important to acknowledge the flexibility inherent in their affiliation mechanisms. Unlike the stringent requirements imposed by CBSE, regional boards often offer a more flexible approach to affiliation. While this flexibility can be advantageous for schools in certain aspects, it also presents a potential loophole wherein schools may not be fulfilling the required norms and standards. In such cases, schools may deliberately ignore the publishing of mandatory disclosures to the public domain, either due to oversight or a lack of accountability mechanisms.

However, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of transparency and accountability in all educational institutions, regardless of their affiliation. By publishing mandatory disclosures on their websites, schools demonstrate their commitment to transparency, integrity, and quality education. Encouraging schools to make essential documents available to the public domain not only promotes accountability but also fosters trust and confidence among stakeholders. It enables parents to make informed decisions about their children's education and holds schools accountable for meeting regulatory standards and providing a safe and conducive learning environment.

Ensuring transparency in education is paramount for fostering trust, accountability, and informed decision-making. While regional board-affiliated schools may face challenges in meeting required norms and standards due to the flexibility of the affiliation mechanism, it is imperative that they uphold transparency by publishing mandatory disclosures. By doing so, schools not only demonstrate their commitment to integrity and quality education but also empower stakeholders with the information they need to make informed choices. Let us advocate for greater transparency in all educational institutions and encourage them to fulfill their obligation of making essential documents available to the public domain. Together, we can strengthen the education system and support the holistic development of our children.

Vikram S Kaviya

vskaviya@gmail.com

9828060072