Maharashtra Cracks Down on Misleading School Names: ‘International,’ ‘Global,’ and ‘CBSE’ Under Scrutiny
The Maharashtra government has announced a comprehensive review of school names across the state to ensure they accurately reflect the institution’s curriculum, affiliation, and credentials. The move aims to curb the growing trend of schools adopting labels such as “international,” “global,” or “CBSE” without meeting the required standards—a practice officials say can confuse parents, students, and the general public.
According to a circular issued by the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education on December 15, inconsistencies in naming practices have become a widespread concern. Many schools affiliated with the state board, ICSE, and CBSE have used these terms in their branding, despite not having international recognition or offering multiple curricula.
Misleading Terminology and Its Implications
The circular emphasizes that school names must accurately represent their affiliation and offerings. Terms like “international” and “global” should not be used arbitrarily. Officials clarified that only schools with branches in two or more countries, or those affiliated with recognized international boards such as Cambridge International Education or the International Baccalaureate (IB), are eligible to use such labels.
Similarly, the use of “CBSE” in school names has been flagged as legally inappropriate. The term refers specifically to the Central Board of Secondary Education, and its misuse in school branding could mislead parents and students about the institution’s official curriculum and standards.
Authorities highlighted that misleading school names could affect decision-making for parents selecting schools and may also misrepresent the institution to the state government and regulatory bodies.
Review of Existing and New Schools
The directive applies to both existing and newly proposed schools. For existing schools using misleading terminology, officials will review the names and mandate changes where necessary. For new proposals, school authorities must ensure that the institution’s name, board affiliation, medium of instruction, and operational scope are accurately represented before submitting proposals for state approval.
The circular noted that 11 recently proposed schools across Maharashtra had used the term “international” in their names. Field officers have been instructed to verify these cases before forwarding revised proposals to the state authority. This step ensures that the government and society are not misled about the school’s curriculum or global presence.
Ensuring Transparency in School Affiliation and Medium
The Maharashtra education authorities also observed that some schools approved as Marathi-medium were branding themselves as English-medium. The circular clarifies that such claims must align with official approvals. A school cannot misrepresent its medium of instruction or claim international standards unless it meets the defined criteria.
In addition to preventing confusion among parents, these measures aim to standardize the state’s education ecosystem. Accurate representation of school names will make it easier for authorities to monitor compliance with regulations, maintain transparency, and ensure that students receive the education they are promised.
The Legal Basis for School Naming
The circular underlines that using “CBSE” or similar terms inappropriately is legally impermissible. The Central Board of Secondary Education governs its name and syllabus, and unauthorized use in school branding could lead to legal complications. Similarly, claiming to be “international” or “global” without recognized international affiliations may violate rules regarding truthful representation of institutional credentials.
By enforcing these naming standards, Maharashtra authorities aim to protect parents and students from false or misleading impressions while promoting accountability within the private and self-financed school sector.
Procedure for Approving School Names
Moving forward, schools seeking recognition or approval from the Maharashtra state authority must submit proposals with names that accurately reflect their curriculum, affiliation, and operational model. If a school’s name is deemed misleading during the review, it must be changed before the proposal can advance.
This procedure was reinforced during a state-level meeting on December 10, where officials examined proposals for the approval and upgradation of new self-financed schools. Authorities concluded that institutions with misleading terminology should be instructed to change their names before gaining formal recognition.
Impact on Parents and Students
Misleading school names can significantly affect parents’ decision-making. For example, a parent seeking admission to a “global” school might expect an international curriculum or overseas opportunities, which may not exist. Similarly, using “CBSE” in a school name could imply government-endorsed CBSE certification when the school is affiliated with a different board.
By enforcing clear guidelines, the Maharashtra government seeks to ensure that parents and students can make informed decisions. Transparency in school naming will also enhance trust between families and educational institutions, creating a more accountable system.
Broader Implications for Maharashtra’s Education System
The regulation of school names aligns with the state government’s broader objective of standardizing educational institutions and ensuring compliance with official norms. It also addresses the rising commercialization of education, where schools often adopt prestigious-sounding labels to attract enrollments, regardless of actual quality or affiliation.
By scrutinizing school names, the government aims to preserve the integrity of Maharashtra’s education system, prevent exploitation of parents’ aspirations, and maintain uniform standards across state, ICSE, and CBSE schools.
Schools Must Align With Recognized Standards
The circular clearly stipulates that terms like “global” or “international” can only be used by schools operating branches abroad and affiliated with a recognized international board. Similarly, the use of “CBSE” is reserved exclusively for schools officially accredited by the Central Board of Secondary Education.
This step ensures that schools accurately represent their curriculum, medium of instruction, and global presence, thereby preventing any false impressions or misrepresentations that could affect students’ educational choices.
Maharashtra Enforces Accountability in School Branding
The Maharashtra government’s initiative to scrutinize school names is a significant step toward enhancing transparency, protecting parents and students, and maintaining standards in the state’s education system. By regulating the use of terms like “international,” “global,” and “CBSE,” authorities aim to curb misleading practices and ensure that school branding reflects actual curriculum, affiliation, and operational scope.
With this new directive, both existing and proposed schools will be held accountable for their names, ensuring that families can make informed decisions based on truthful representations. This move reinforces Maharashtra’s commitment to an education ecosystem that is transparent, fair, and focused on genuine learning outcomes.
