“25 Manipur schools lost CBSE affiliation for alleged fraud.”

In a recent development, 25 schools in Manipur have had their CBSE affiliation revoked due to reported irregularities in obtaining no-objection certificates (NOCs). The Manipur government has pledged to take decisive action against those found responsible for violating state education and CBSE rules, emphasizing the seriousness of alleged fraud in the submission of affiliation requests to the central board.

According to CBSE bylaws, state board schools are mandated to secure an NOC from the state government before applying for central board affiliation. The CBSE SARAS 4.0 website no longer lists the 25 schools in Kangpokpi and Churachandpur as “affiliated,” signaling the immediate effect of the affiliation withdrawal.

Manipur’s school education joint secretary, Anjali Chongtham, stated that the withdrawal occurred because the submitted NOCs were not issued by authorized state government functionaries. Education Minister Th. Basanta highlighted that the last NOC from the Education Department was issued in May 2020.

After initial investigations, the government has identified an education officer in Kangpokpi and a former education officer in Churachandpur for allegedly providing NOCs without the knowledge of the state government.

Of the affected schools, 11 obtained CBSE affiliation between May 2020 and May 2023, while 14 received affiliation in the past six months. The schools are situated in the hill districts of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, where tensions between Meiteis and Kuki tribes escalated in May.

The change from state to central education boards in these districts has been contentious, viewed by some as an attempt to formalize a new arrangement. Several principals in Kangpokpi have claimed that the administrative challenges under the state board prompted the switch to CBSE for academic continuity.

While the Manipur government emphasizes the importance of due process, some school principals question the focus on procedures amidst ongoing ethnic clashes and disruptions. However, the government remains firm in its commitment to taking action against schools not adhering to established processes, stressing the need to safeguard the future of students. Education department officials have not ruled out the possibility of fraud and forgery, maintaining ongoing communication with zonal education officers for further details.