Maharashtra moves to regulate misleading school names across state

The Maharashtra government has moved to regulate school names that could mislead parents and students, following reports that some institutions are using terms like “international” and “global” without offering an international curriculum.

The state’s Directorate of School Education clarified that such terms should only be used by schools with branches abroad or those affiliated with internationally recognized boards.

In a circular issued on Dec 15, the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education noted wide discrepancies in school names across the state.

"Some schools are affiliated to the state board, but use international, global, CBSE in their names. Similarly, some schools are approved as Marathi-medium schools but are using the term ‘English medium’ in their names," the circular stated.

It added that terms such as “global” or “international” are legally appropriate only for schools with overseas branches or international board affiliation.

The use of “CBSE” in school names, without proper affiliation, was also flagged as misleading.

"In such circumstances, the possibility of misleading the government, society, parents, and students with such names cannot be ruled out," the circular noted.

The issue came under review during a state-level meeting on Dec 10 focused on proposals for new self-financed schools.

Authorities concluded that misleading school names could negatively affect parents and students and should therefore be corrected.

Shriram Panzade, joint director of school education, said existing schools with such names will also be reviewed.

"Unless schools have a branch in two or more countries, they cannot call themselves global," he said.

He added that schools not affiliated with Cambridge International Education or the International Baccalaureate should not use the term “international.”

The circular also emphasized that future proposals for school recognition will include a thorough review of the school’s name, board affiliation, medium of instruction, and related institutions.

Schools with misleading names will be instructed to change them before approval is granted. Field officers have been tasked with verifying the names of 11 new schools identified as using “international” inappropriately.

The list from the directorate included schools across Maharashtra offering state board, ICSE, and CBSE curricula, yet using terms like “international” and “global” in their names, prompting the need for this regulatory action.