CBSE Permits Playschools and Kindergartens in School Premises

Sub: Polity

Sec: National body

Context:

The Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE) has approved the establishment of playschools and kindergartens within school premises.
The move aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) recommendation for Bal Vatikas (playschools) for children aged 3 to 5 years.

Key Features of the Notification

Branch Schools under the Same Name and Affiliation
- CBSE schools can establish branch schools under the same name and affiliation number as the parent school.
- The branch school will cater to students from Bal Vatika to Class 5.

Land and Infrastructure Requirements
- The branch school must have a minimum contiguous land area of 1,200 square metres.
- It must be bound by a six-foot-high permanent wall.

Separate Physical and Academic Resources
- The branch school must have separate infrastructure, teaching, and supporting staff.
- The main school shall run Classes 6 to 11.
Application Process
- About 30,000 CBSE-affiliated schools are eligible to apply.
- Schools can apply for establishing branch schools from the academic year 2026-27 via the SARAS portal.
Governance and Management
- Separate School Management Committees (SMCs) for the main and branch schools.
- A common website with a dedicated section for the branch school.
- Separate principals and headmasters/headmistresses for both schools.
Seamless Transition for Students
- Students from the branch school will transition directly to the main school without being considered new admissions.
Teacher-Pupil Ratio for Bal Vatika
- The teacher-pupil ratio will be 1:30 in playschools established under this scheme.