Though the notification has mentioned nothing about playgrounds, several schools fear that the requirement of a multi-purpose hall or separate rooms for sports has started a debate over availability and functionality of open playgrounds on the school campus.With the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE’s) latest notification amending the Affiliation Bye Laws 2018, specifically in matters of land use, a section of schools in Gujarat has raised concerns that it might affect playgrounds on campuses.In its notification dated July 31, CBSE has stated that the maximum number of sections to be permitted is to be based on the total built-up carpet area of the school building instead of the campus area.“Along with expected benefits to parents like reduction in transport costs and the school fee being directly proportional to the land prices, this will negatively impact the availability of playgrounds,” executive director of Udgam School for Children, a chain of schools, Manan Choksi told The Indian Express.Though the notification has mentioned nothing about playgrounds, several schools fear that the requirement of a multi-purpose hall or separate rooms for sports has started a debate over availability and functionality of open playgrounds on the school campus.To discuss the issue, a meeting of principals of around 100 CBSE schools of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar will be held on August 23. As per the recommendation of the CBSE’s Affiliation Committee meeting, ratified by the Governing Body and subsequent approval of the Controlling Authority of the Board, the amendments have been made in the Appendix V under Chapter 3 of the Affiliation Bye Laws 2018 under which, the maximum number of sections to be permitted shall be based on the total built-up carpet area of the school building. These shall be applicable on all the existing and newly affiliated schools of the Board.Choksi, who is a former president of Association of Progressive Schools of Gujarat, said, “Playgrounds are now going to be a limited and an outdated concept as schools are already forced to think about their utility. They are used for only two hours or for a maximum period of 20 minutes a day by a child. So, now with the clause of creating an additional set of infrastructure like laboratories, library, indoor game room and other activity rooms beyond every 48 sections, which was not there till now, the focus will now be on the indoor playing areas. Playground will be a luxury and not available to students of schools in residential areas.”Mrugen Shah, principal of Prakash Higher Secondary Schools, one of the oldest schools in the state to have CBSE affiliation back in 1972, told The Indian Express that a meeting of principals has been scheduled to discuss the CBSE notification.Story continues below this adShah heads the Sahodaya School Complex – a group of CBSE schools working to improve education – in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.“Adequate facilities for a playground is a must. There should be a middle ground given that availability of space is a problem. To discuss its impacts and ways to deal with them, we have scheduled a meeting of principals of around 100 CBSE schools of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar on August 23,” Shah said.The Chapter 3 of the CBSE Affiliation Bye-Laws, 2018, focussed on the conditions for affiliation, specifically concerning the land, building, and playground requirements for schools. It outlined the norms related to land area, building construction, and the availability of adequate playground space. Additionally, it specifies the requirements for a school website and its role in providing information to stakeholders.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:CBSE