Amended 1972 Education Act Differentiates Grant and Private Schools

The Gujarat Assembly has revised the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Act of 1972 to clearly separate grant‑aided schools from fully private institutions. The update provides distinct legal categories, staffing guidelines and penalty structures for each type of school.

For schools receiving government grants, the state will prescribe the qualifications, selection process and work conditions for principals, teachers, special educators and non‑teaching staff. Private schools, while still required to register with the Board, will also fall under the state’s reservation rules for staff appointments.

The amendment strengthens oversight by imposing steep fines on illegal appointments. Grant‑aided schools that bypass the approval process can be fined up to INR 10 million, a dramatic increase from the earlier INR 1,000. Unregistered schools are now prohibited from operating and face imprisonment of one to two years, a fine ranging from INR 10 million to INR 15 million, or both.

School closures without the mandatory six‑month notice have been penalised heavily, with fines jumping from INR 1,000 to INR 20 million. The six‑month notice period remains a statutory requirement.

Special educators for children with special needs (CWSN) now have a dedicated legal framework, ensuring that these students receive instruction from qualified professionals.

The bill also revises the composition of Class‑B committees, expands parent‑association representation and removes the term “private” to allow representatives from all registered secondary and higher secondary schools to contest association elections.

By delineating clear rules for grant‑aided and private schools, the amendment seeks to promote transparency, fairness and inclusive education throughout Gujarat’s secondary schooling system.