ગુજરાતી
17,000 private schools sector worth ₹10,000 crore—to launch agitation against the government
Many problems facing schools are still unresolved
Ahmedabad, October 31, 2026
At a major conference of school administrators, it was announced that 17,000 private schools across the state would launch an agitation against the state government over long-standing and unresolved problems. The loopholes in the decision making process of the ‘Fee Determination Committees’ have not been plugged, and the processing of fee proposals is continuously delayed. Additionally, concerns remain about unnecessary government regulations, reduced school autonomy, and excessive government interference. Also, there is a lot of delay in matters like approving schools and giving permission to add new classes.
It is noteworthy that if an average fee of ₹30,000 is taken per student, the total annual fee collection from 50 lakh students reaches ₹15,000 crore. Even if the average fee per student is assumed to be ₹10,000, the total collection comes to ₹5,000 crore. While on one hand the government has not taken any steps to reduce the fees, on the other hand school administrators have also failed to provide any clarification on the matter.
It has been announced that if the problems of private schools are not resolved despite formally presenting their views to the state government after Diwali, then private schools across the state will remain closed on December 9 and 10, 2026. The school management has announced a ‘non-cooperation movement’ demanding withdrawal of the ‘Education Reform Bill-2026’ and removal of complex working procedures of the ‘Fees Regulatory Committee’ (FRC).
Education Reform Bill
According to Jatin Bhard, president of the Self-Financed School Management Association, there are about 17,000 self-financed schools in Gujarat, in which about 53 lakh students are enrolled. From the year 2022, our views have been presented to the Education Department several times, but till now no permanent solution has been found.
Dissatisfaction with the functioning of FRC (Fees Regulatory Committee)
There is a lack of uniformity and transparency in the functioning of the FRC in all four regions of the state. Despite High Court directions, the process of fixing fees remains arbitrary.
Opposition to Education Reform Bill-2026
Through this bill, an attempt is being made to impose the rules applicable to government and aided schools on private (self-financed) schools also. School managements are protesting against stringent rules for teacher recruitment, excessive increase in the amount of fine and provisions for direct criminal proceedings.
Exclusion of Registration
The schools will not participate in the registration process or in the registration of teachers.
Right to Education (RTE)
Under the ‘Right to Education Act’, the government pays only a ‘nominal’ (token) fee for students seeking admission in private schools, while the actual expenditure is much higher. Security
Whenever guidelines or circulars are issued related to the welfare or safety of schools, only government schools are kept in mind. For example, private schools were not included in the circular prohibiting entry of unauthorized persons and video recording on school premises.
Burden of paperwork instead of digitalization
Although the government had claimed to digitalize the education system, the reality is that the paperwork burden on schools has become unbearable. Instead of focusing on providing quality education to children, school administrators and teachers are constantly busy filling government forms and handling paper work. Administrators are now tired of providing only documents and answers to administrative officials.
Consultation
School administrators have been demanding for a long time that whenever the education department takes any policy or administrative decision affecting private schools, it should first consult or discuss with the ‘Self-Financed School Management Association’.
Non-academic work
Moreover, since teachers in government schools are entrusted with administrative duties other than teaching, the standard of education is continuously falling across the state. Interference in autonomy
School administrators complain that the autonomy of their institutions is being jeopardized due to continuous circulars and administrative interference from the education department and district education officer offices. They are demanding protection of the legal rights of schools and their academic functioning.
commercialization of education
There are widespread complaints that education has become a commercial enterprise in many schools. The financial burden on parents is constantly increasing—not just because of the high tuition fees, but also because of the expenses on books, uniforms, transportation, and a host of other programs.
fees
Fees in private schools catering to the general or middle class range from ₹15,000 to ₹35,000.
Fees in reputed schools range from ₹40,000 to ₹1 lakh.
Fees in premium schools range from ₹1.50 lakh to ₹3 lakh.
hidden fees
Schools are not permitted to charge parents any hidden or illegal fees over and above the standard tuition fees—be it admission fees, term fees or by any other name; Nevertheless, such charges levied.
exploitation of teachers
There are about 2 lakh to 2.50 lakh teachers in 17 self-reliant schools of Gujarat. Average annual income Rs. The salary is estimated to be Rs 4500 crore. While the fee is Rs. 20 thousand crores could have been taken.
Neither the education department nor the autonomous school governing body has released any official and accurate figures for the combined number of teachers in all private schools.
There are usually 12 to 15 teachers in a school.
According to the rules of the Right to Education and Education Board, there should be 1 teacher for every 25 to 30 students.
Small and Medium Budget Schools (GSEB) – Gujarati/English Medium Salary Rs 7 to 15 thousand per month.
Prestigious and big private schools Rs. 20 to 40 thousand.
International or premium schools pay salaries ranging from Rs 45 to Rs 75 thousand.
Pre-primary and primary teachers or teachers from Kindergarten to Class 8 usually get the lowest salary of Rs. Gives from 7 to 15 thousand.
Secondary teachers in classes 9 and 10 get an average salary of Rs 15 to 28 thousand.
Higher Secondary Teachers – Experienced teachers of class 11th and 12th, especially Science or Commerce main subjects, get a good salary of Rs 30 to 50 thousand.
legal provisions
Government Minimum Wage According to the rules of the Labor Department of the Government of Gujarat, the minimum wage for skilled employees in private educational institutions is fixed at around Rs 13800 to Rs 14200 per month. Which is much less than Rs. Should get 1 thousand.
exploitation of teachers
Despite the minimum wage rule, there are widespread complaints that many small private schools employ unqualified or new teachers at a paltry salary of Rs 5 to 8 thousand to run on tight budgets.
To avoid the rules of Fee Regulatory Committee, some schools deposit the entire salary on paper or in bank accounts, but later there have also been cases of teachers withdrawing money through cash or cheque. tranleted from gujarati by google
