The Maharashtra school education department has issued a directive requiring all schools in the state to review their names. This move restricts the use of terms like “international” and “global” unless schools meet specific eligibility criteria. The department aims to prevent parents and the public from being misled by inaccurate school titles.
Eligibility for ‘International’ and ‘Global’
According to the education department’s official letter, a school can use “international” or “global” in its name only under strict conditions. The school must either operate campuses abroad or be formally affiliated with an international educational board. Another criterion allows these terms if the school exclusively follows an internationally recognized curriculum. This directive sets clear standards for prestigious-sounding school names.
Scrutiny of Existing and New Schools
Education officers across Maharashtra now bear the responsibility of scrutinizing all existing school names. They must also examine every new proposal for approval or renewal. Schools found using misleading terms without fulfilling the new criteria will face appropriate action. This process ensures compliance statewide, preventing institutions from misrepresenting their affiliations.
Other Misleading Terms Flagged
The education department has identified additional misleading naming conventions. Many schools, officially approved as Marathi-medium institutions, incorrectly incorporate “English medium” into their names. The directive also highlights the improper use of “CBSE” (Central Board of Secondary Education) in school titles. CBSE is an examination board managed by the central government, not a descriptor for a school’s name.
Immediate Action on Violations
The department has already identified 11 new schools across Maharashtra currently using the term “international.” Field education officers have received explicit instructions to direct these identified schools to submit new name proposals that comply with the updated guidelines. This immediate action underscores the department’s commitment to enforcing its new regulations promptly.
Future Recognition Process
For all new school recognition proposals, effective from the upcoming academic year, officials must conduct a rigorous review. They will carefully consider the proposed school name, its affiliated board, and its primary medium of instruction. The review process also includes assessing whether the school genuinely meets national or international educational standards. If officials find any misleading titles during this examination, schools will receive a direct order to change their names. These cases will then proceed to the state authority for further necessary action and official instructions.
Compliance Deadlines for Schools
Existing schools must implement name changes for misleading terms immediately. Each affected institution must submit a detailed action plan outlining these changes within one month of receiving the directive. For new recognition proposals submitted by December 2024 , education officers must complete their scrutiny by December 2025 . These scrutinized proposals will then be submitted to the state authority for final approval. The department expects strict adherence to these timelines to ensure transparent and accurate school naming practices across Maharashtra.