Records reveal only 5 branches of Orchid school have CBSE affiliation

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Only five of the 21 branches of Orchids International School are affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), records have revealed.

This came to light after a controversy over the alleged falsification of CBSE affiliation by many branches of the same school erupted in the past week. According to the CBSE data, only Orchids International School in CV Raman Nagar, Jalahalli, Mysuru Road, Sarjapur and BTM Layout are affiliated to the central board.

The rest 16 branches – Bannerghatta, Haraluru, Hennur, Horamavu, JP Nagar, Kadugodi, Mahalakshmi Layout, Majestic, Magadi Road, Kanakapura Road, Nagarabhavi, Panathur, Rajajinagar, Sahakar Nagar, Vijayanagar and Yelahanka – are not affiliated to the CBSE, and are currently operating under the state board.

On Saturday, several parents gathered at the Orchids International School in Panathur and alleged that the school administration claimed they have a CBSE affiliation, and “duped them of lakhs of rupees” in fees. They claimed that they were informed only a few days ago about their children having to write the exams under the state board. Parents also held a meeting with the school authorities who blamed the issue “on their marketing process”.

This was only three days after the Department of Public Instruction (DDPI) filed a criminal complaint against the Nagarbhavi branch of Orchids International School for falsely claiming that it is affiliated to the CBSE. Department of Public Instruction filed a criminal complaint against the trust that is responsible for operating the Orchids International School in Nagarbhavi on Wednesday.

During inspection by the block education officer (BEO), it was found that the management was teaching the central syllabus. After a notice was issued, the school claimed they taught the state syllabus but as a benefit to the students, they also teach from two more private textbooks.