Edu dept orders no new admissions to Class 11, 12 at Neerja Modi School

Jaipur: The Rajasthan education department has ordered the suspension of Class 11 operations at Neerja Modi School for two academic sessions, and Class 12 operations for one academic session. In effect, this bars the school from taking in fresh students to Class 11 for the next two academic sessions, 2026-27 and 2027-28, and in Class 12 for the 2027-28 academic session. The order, however, allows those students who appeared for their Class 11 finals earlier this month to continue into Class 12 for the 2026-27 academic session. The education department's order, which is dated March 18 but came to light Friday, is in response to the death of a nine-year-old student at the school in Nov last year. It said the school failed to comply with departmental rules, adding that institutions affiliated with CBSE are required to ensure strict compliance with the board's bylaws, a condition the school failed to fulfil.The order came the same day (March 18) that the Rajasthan High Court granted Neerja Modi School interim relief by staying an earlier CBSE order restricting its senior secondary affiliation over the death of the student.TOI reached out to Neerja Modi School's administration for a comment, but a response was not immediately forthcoming. Citing Rule 7 of the Rajasthan Non-Govt Educational Institutions Act, 1989, and Rules, 1993, the order said the school was not being run in accordance with required standards, and held its administration responsible for failing to follow instructions, rules and circulars issued by the education department.It added that the department, after examining facts, evidence and documents, found that the school administration "lacked sensitivity towards child safety"."The decision has been taken as per the rules and guidelines of the department. It is in accordance with the CBSE's observations too," director for secondary education, Sita Ram Jat, told TOI Friday. "We have made provisions to ensure that the academic progress of students does not get affected," he added. The Jaipur District Education Officer (DEO) for secondary education has been appointed the officer-in-charge to oversee the transition to nearby schools of Neerja Modi students affected by the latest order. The officer has been authorised to issue transfer certificates to students currently enrolled at the school and facilitate their admissions elsewhere. "The timing of this order by the department is questionable. What were govt officials doing earlier if their observations are the same as those of the CBSE?," asked Abhishek Jain Bittu, spokesperson of Sanyukta Abhibhavak Sangh, a parents' body. "The department should have conducted its own investigation and issued the order independently; this order feels like a copy paste of the CBSE order," he added.