Maharashtra schools must now meet strict eligibility criteria to use terms like "international" or "global" in their official names. The state’s school education department issued this directive to halt deceptive practices and prevent parents and the general public from being misled by confusing school titles.
According to a letter issued by the education department, the use of words such as "international" or "global" will only be permitted if a school satisfies specific conditions. These conditions include operating campuses abroad or holding an official affiliation with an international board or curriculum. This policy aims to ensure that a school’s name accurately reflects its operational scope and educational standards.
Mandatory Review of School Names
The education department has instructed all education officers across Maharashtra to initiate a thorough scrutiny of existing school names. This review will cover all private and public schools operating within the state. Additionally, officers must meticulously examine every new proposal for school approval or renewal. Any school found using misleading terms without meeting the new criteria faces immediate corrective action.
District-level education authorities will play a key role in enforcing these guidelines. They are tasked with identifying non-compliant schools and directing them to reapply with new, accurate name proposals. This systematic process ensures compliance and upholds the integrity of school designations.
Other Misleading Factors Addressed
Beyond "international" and "global" titles, the education department identified several other misleading naming practices. Some schools, officially approved as Marathi-medium institutions, are using "English medium" in their names. This creates a significant misrepresentation regarding the school’s primary language of instruction, potentially confusing parents seeking specific linguistic environments for their children.
Furthermore, the directive flags the inappropriate use of "CBSE" (Central Board of Secondary Education) in school names. The education department clarified that CBSE refers specifically to the Central government’s examination board responsible for conducting national-level exams. It is not a descriptor for a type of school or its affiliation beyond examination purposes. Its inclusion in a school’s name without proper context can imply an affiliation that does not exist or is misunderstood by the public.
The department specifically highlighted the names of 11 new schools from various districts across Maharashtra that currently use the word "international" in their titles. Education field officers have received explicit instructions to contact these schools. They must direct them to review their names and submit revised proposals that align with the new state guidelines.
Implementation and Deadlines for Compliance
The new policy dictates a stricter approach to granting recognition for schools from the next academic year onwards. When examining proposals for new school recognition, authorities will now comprehensively evaluate the proposed school name, its declared board, the medium of instruction, and any claims of national or international standards. This comprehensive assessment aims to prevent misleading titles from the outset.
Schools identified with any misleading "title" will receive official directives to change their name. Following this, a formal proposal detailing the necessary actions will be submitted to the state authority for further instructions and oversight. This ensures a centralized and consistent enforcement mechanism.
For currently existing schools, the directive mandates immediate action. They must change any prohibited words in their names and submit a detailed action plan to the department within one month of receiving the official communication. Additionally, all proposals received by December 2024 concerning new recognition of schools will undergo thorough scrutiny by December 2025 before final approval is granted. This staggered deadline allows for systematic review and compliance across all new educational establishments.
This move by the Maharashtra school education department marks a significant step towards greater transparency and accountability within the state’s educational landscape, protecting parents and students from potentially fraudulent claims.