Haryana Grants Provisional Affiliation to 750 Unrecognized Schools for Board Exams

The Haryana government has taken a significant step by granting provisional affiliation to approximately 750 unrecognized private schools for the 2024-25 academic session, ensuring students can appear in upcoming Board examinations.

Key Guidelines and Provisions

The provisional affiliation policy includes several important provisions:

• Schools established before the 2003 Education Rules can extend affiliation without new bonds
• Schools with temporary recognition before April 30, 2003, receive provisional affiliation
• Institutions established between April 2003 and March 2007 can extend provisional affiliation annually
• The Board's portal will reopen for fee deposits from previously affiliated schools 

Contingency Arrangements

The government has implemented backup measures to protect students' interests:

• District Education Officers must arrange for students to take exams at nearby government schools if their institutions fail to secure affiliation  
• Schools not on the current list can apply with proof of previous affiliation
• The Board will accept applications from schools with 2023-24 session certificates 

Industry Response and Future Concerns 

While welcoming the immediate relief, Federation of Private Schools Welfare Association President Kulbhushan Sharma highlighted the need for long-term solutions. Key issues include stringent land norms affecting permanent recognition and schools facing financial constraints. There is need for relaxed relocation rules and this situation raise concerns about the future of thousands of students. 

The situation underscores the ongoing challenge of balancing educational access with regulatory compliance in Haryana's private school sector.