In a significant development in Jaipur, parents and students organized a peaceful sit-in demonstration on Saturday, urging the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to reverse its decision of cancelling the affiliation of Neerja Modi School. The protest stems from deep concerns over the academic future of nearly 5,500 students, which has been thrown into uncertainty mid-session.
The Core of the Protest: Student Future in Jeopardy
The demonstrators argued that the abrupt withdrawal of the CBSE affiliation, announced on Tuesday, January 4, 2026, would severely disrupt the education of thousands. They highlighted that the move, coming in the middle of the academic year, would adversely affect examination preparation, regular studies, and the overall mental well-being of the children. The cancellation followed a tragic incident on November 1, where a 9-year-old Class 4 student allegedly died by suicide at the school.
An inquiry panel constituted by the CBSE had identified several grave lapses. The report noted the girl faced relentless bullying, with her parents having first raised the issue with teachers as early as July 2024. Shockingly, the panel observed that the class teacher failed to act on the child's distress, even after she approached the teacher five times in the final 45 minutes before her death. The board termed these as "gross violations" of safety norms warranting the "severest" category of penalty, stating students could not continue in an unsafe environment.
Parental Anguish and Pleas for Review
Parents at the protest voiced their distress, questioning the impact of the board's punitive action on innocent students. Anup Agarwal, a parent, pointed out that the affiliation cancellation directly impacts over 5,000 pupils. He suggested alternative corrective measures like financial penalties or enhanced security safeguards, drawing a parallel to premier institutions like IITs and IIMs where such affiliations are not revoked despite similar tragedies.
Another parent, Shyamali Singh, called the triggering incident unfortunate but asked, "What is the fault of our students?" She expressed fear about the adjustment challenges children would face if forced to shift schools mid-session, potentially facing bullying in new environments. "Punishment has been given to students and parents," she lamented.
Key Demands from the Agitating Parents
The protesting parents put forth specific demands to the CBSE board:
- An immediate review of the decision to cancel the school's affiliation.
- Written assurance regarding the alternative schools where students might be relocated, confirming these institutions meet all prescribed norms.
- Restoration of the school's CBSE affiliation to ensure academic continuity and minimize disruption for the current student body.
The overarching concern remains the immense pressure placed on children who may now have to adapt to a new academic system and environment unexpectedly. The community in Jaipur now awaits a response from the educational authorities, hoping for a resolution that prioritizes both student safety and educational stability.
