Outrage Erupts: 40,000 Pre-Primary Schools in Gujarat Close in Defiant Protest Against New Guidelines
Nearly 40,000 pre-primary schools in Gujarat closed on Tuesday in protest against new state government guidelines. School owners and management submitted their concerns to Education Minister Kuber Dindor and Minister of State for Education Praful Pansheriya, threatening further protests in Gandhinagar if their demands aren’t addressed. Despite lacking permission for a statewide protest, they demonstrated through localized closures and rallies. Rajesh Parikh of the Gujarat Independent Pre-school Association highlighted the need for clarity and extended deadlines for compliance with the new registration policy, which requires adherence by February 2025.
A primary concern is the ambiguity surrounding Building-Use (BU) permission, with conflicting requirements from the education department and municipal corporation. Approximately 80% of the state’s pre-primary schools operate out of rented properties and face challenges complying with the mandated 15-year lease agreements, involving costly stamp duty. Establishing a trust for schools would require annual audits, incurring additional expenses.
Sagar Nayak, spokesperson for the association, stated that they’ve been requesting policy flexibility from the government since April. The guidelines, part of the Policy for Regulation of Non-Grant-in-Aid Private Pre-primary Education Institutes, were initiated to align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This policy, operational since May 15, 2023, compels pre-primary institutions to register by 2025.
Applicable to various entities offering early childhood education in Gujarat, the registration process involves multiple document submissions, including a BU permission copy and a fire safety certificate. Despite these structured requirements, the policy aspires to bring regulatory clarity, though it has sparked significant resistance among pre-primary educators.
Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/40000-pre-primary-schools-in-gujarat-remain-shut-to-protest-new-guidelines-9705095/
Category : Ahmedabad,Cities
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Publish Date: 2024-12-04 01:53:00
