NAGPUR: In a blatant violation of government rules, some CBSE schools in Nagpur are forcing parents to send their children to school. While reopening in physical mode is permissible for Std I-XII in the district, there are clear instructions given that physical attendance is not mandatory.

TOI has been informed by parents about at least four well-known CBSE schools, of which three are located within city limits, that are sending written or verbal messages during online classes or parent-teacher meet.

Teachers are threatening parents that online classes will be stopped and only offline mode will continue. A parent said, “They say offline classes will stop in January and there will be no other option to study. So now, parents have no choice but to comply with these orders.”
Another parent said, “Who will take responsibility if something happens to our children? The school is not bothering about the primary section students’ health. The choice should be left to parents.”

Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) had given permission to all schools under its jurisdiction to reopen, but only if they adhere to SOPs and guidelines. In NMC’s letter, it was mentioned that both online and offline classes will continue.

At least two schools from the above have sent written messages to parents that offline classes will be stopped.

Priti Mishrikotkar, education officer (NMC), said, “There is absolute clarity about this clause. Online classes cannot be stopped because physical attendance is the choice of parents. Such schools shall be notified that forcing students back on campus is not allowed.”

While it’s true that physical attendance is rising in high school sections across the district, some institutes are going beyond their brief and trying to force middle and primary sections to follow suit.

A parent said there’s no problem if parents willingly send their wards and attendance increases. “My priority is the safety of my child. I am not against people attending in physical mode, but against denial of legally mandated online classes. Currently, schools are only threatening but if they implement this, I will definitely approach the court,” the parent said.

CBSE too frowns upon its school violating guidelines. Since none of the schools in Nagpur have actually implemented that “threat”, CBSE officials did not want to make a statement. A senior official said, “We always say that schools must comply with whatever guidelines the government is giving. If that says that online classes must continue, then so be it.”