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In a sweeping crackdown on academic irregularities, the Himachal Pradesh School Education Board has cancelled the recognition of 294 private schools across the state for failing to adhere to the prescribed curriculum. Confirming the action, Dr (Major) Vishal Sharma, Secretary of the School Education Board, said that it is mandatory for all recognised institutions to follow the board’s syllabus and use its approved textbooks. However, a recent inquiry revealed that several schools were teaching from books published by private publishers, in violation of board regulations. The Himachal Pradesh Board currently recognises around 1,400 private schools offering education from Classes 9 to 12. As part of a recent audit, all affiliated institutions were asked to submit purchase bills for textbooks supplied to students. Upon scrutiny, 294 schools were found to have procured books from unapproved publishers, prompting the cancellation of their recognition. Dr Sharma reiterated that recognised private schools are bound by contract to teach only the board’s books. “This condition is clearly stated at the time of recognition. Schools that have breached this clause have faced necessary disciplinary action,” he said. The move comes amid broader reforms in the state’s education sector. The Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led government has already shut down over 1,500 schools in the past three years, citing low student enrollment. Many of these institutions were established during the previous BJP administration. In a parallel development, the state government recently announced its decision to bring 100 schools under the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in a bid to enhance educational standards and align with national benchmarks.
