Neerja Modi School parents and students protest CBSE affiliation withdrawal

Parents and students gathered in Jaipur on Dec 3 to demand the reinstatement of Neerja Modi School’s CBSE affiliation, saying the board’s action has left thousands of children facing uncertainty about their education.

The demonstrators said the withdrawal of affiliation has affected about 5,500 students and could interrupt studies midway through the academic year.

Parents warned that sudden transfers to other schools may disrupt exam schedules, regular classes, and students’ mental well-being.

The CBSE earlier cancelled the school’s affiliation after citing serious shortcomings in student safety.

The decision followed the death of a 9-year-old Class 4 student who allegedly jumped from the fourth floor of the school building on Nov 1.

According to a CBSE inquiry, the case exposed multiple failures in how the situation was handled by the school. The investigation found that the child had been subjected to repeated bullying, with concerns raised by her parents as early as July 2024.

The panel also reported that the class teacher did not respond adequately, even though the student reportedly sought help several times shortly before the incident.

At the protest, parents said relocating children to new schools at short notice would be challenging, as students would have to adjust to different academic structures, teaching methods, and social environments.

Anup Agarwal, one of the parents, said punitive action should focus on corrective steps rather than disrupting students’ education.

“If corrective measures are needed, such as fines or enhanced safety protocols, they should be implemented. Suicides have occurred even in institutions like IITs and IIMs, yet affiliations were not revoked,” he said.

Another parent, Shyamali Singh, said students should not suffer for failures beyond their control.

“Our children are not at fault. While the school may face consequences, our children will bear the brunt. How will they adjust to new environments?” she asked.

The parents called on the CBSE to reassess its decision and provide clear guidance on student relocation if the order stands.

They also appealed for the restoration of the school’s affiliation to avoid disruption to students’ academic progress.