National Independent Schools Alliance (NISA) has criticized the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for imposing a penalty of Rs 50,000 on schools for not furnishing ‘confidential information’.

NISA has demanded immediate withdrawal of the “illegal circular” that imposed the fine for not furnishing information.

NISA chief Kulbhushan Sharma, said, "The basic purpose of setting up the CBSE is to conduct examinations, provide certifications and maintain the standard of education in affiliated schools. However, the board is continually deviating from its purpose and continuously intervening in the operations of the schools."

He said that now it is getting into micro-management of school and imposing penalty which is completely against the idea of school autonomy.

CBSE had issued a circular seeking data pertaining to the day-to-day operations of all affiliated schools. NISA national convener, Amit Chandra, said that according to the bylaws, the role of CBSE is limited to conducting the examination. It does not have any right to impose penalties on schools if they fail to share information other than what is required to get affiliation from it.

Amit said that, if necessary, only the state government has the right to seek information related to school operations and private schools keep providing such information to the state governments from time to time.