MP Schools Protest Government Policies, Appeal to Mahatma Gandhi
Members of the MP Board Private Schools Association, Minority School Association Madhya Pradesh, and Khajrana Education Society staged a protest at Regal Square in Indore on Thursday. They gathered in large numbers to submit a letter to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, making a formal plea for intervention. In solidarity with the protest, all state-board schools across Madhya Pradesh remained closed that day.
The protest was sparked by new government policies that the associations claimed threatened the survival of private schools in the state. Despite repeated requests and letters to the government in the past, the associations said they had received no support.
Key Concerns Raised
1. Registered Lease Agreement for School Buildings
One of the main issues raised by the associations was the government’s new requirement for registered lease agreements for school buildings. Many schools, particularly in rural areas, operate out of rented properties that do not have such formal agreements. The associations argued that this new rule would make it impossible for many schools to comply. They also pointed out that schools in unauthorized colonies would be especially affected.
2. Reduction in Vehicle Lifespan
Another major concern was the recent government decision to reduce the lifespan of school vehicles from five years to just two. School owners criticized this policy, saying it was unreasonable, as buses typically covered only 150 to 200 kilometers per day. The associations also highlighted the rising costs of new buses, which are priced between Rs 30 to 35 lakh, and the proposed fare hikes that could make transportation unaffordable for many students, especially those from rural areas.
3. Risk of School Closures
The associations warned that if these policies were not reconsidered, up to 50% of private schools in the region could be forced to shut down. This, they argued, would disrupt the education of thousands of children. "We urge the government to reconsider these policies and engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve these challenges," said Subodh Kumar Sharma, President of the MP Board Private Schools Association.
Association heads said…
• Gopal Soni, State Vice President of the MP Board Private School Association, demanded that the government withdraw the requirement for registered lease agreements. "If this condition is not withdrawn, thousands of private schools will be forced to close," he said. "In such a situation, the education of lakhs of children will be affected."
• Yaqoob Memon, President of the Minority School Association Madhya Pradesh, emphasized the role of private schools in the state’s education system. "The contribution of private schools in primary education cannot be denied. About 42% of the children in the state are studying in these private schools. If they are not allowed to continue, the entire education system will collapse," he said. He added, "The need right now is to make private schools more capable and prosperous, not to plan their closure."
• Salman Hashmi, President of Khajrana Education Society, defended the work of private schools, especially those serving lower and lower-middle-class children. "Private schools are working hard to provide the best possible education at minimum fees with limited resources," he said. "If 1-2% of schools are not following the prescribed standards, it is not fair to punish all schools for this."
Members of the MP Board Private Schools Association, Minority School Association Madhya Pradesh, and Khajrana Education Society staged a protest at Regal Square in Indore on Thursday. They gathered in large numbers to submit a letter to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, making a formal plea for intervention. In solidarity with the protest, all state-board schools across Madhya Pradesh remained closed that day.
The protest was sparked by new government policies that the associations claimed threatened the survival of private schools in the state. Despite repeated requests and letters to the government in the past, the associations said they had received no support.
Key Concerns Raised
1. Registered Lease Agreement for School Buildings
One of the main issues raised by the associations was the government’s new requirement for registered lease agreements for school buildings. Many schools, particularly in rural areas, operate out of rented properties that do not have such formal agreements. The associations argued that this new rule would make it impossible for many schools to comply. They also pointed out that schools in unauthorized colonies would be especially affected.
2. Reduction in Vehicle Lifespan
Another major concern was the recent government decision to reduce the lifespan of school vehicles from five years to just two. School owners criticized this policy, saying it was unreasonable, as buses typically covered only 150 to 200 kilometers per day. The associations also highlighted the rising costs of new buses, which are priced between Rs 30 to 35 lakh, and the proposed fare hikes that could make transportation unaffordable for many students, especially those from rural areas.
3. Risk of School Closures
The associations warned that if these policies were not reconsidered, up to 50% of private schools in the region could be forced to shut down. This, they argued, would disrupt the education of thousands of children. "We urge the government to reconsider these policies and engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve these challenges," said Subodh Kumar Sharma, President of the MP Board Private Schools Association.
Association heads said…
• Gopal Soni, State Vice President of the MP Board Private School Association, demanded that the government withdraw the requirement for registered lease agreements. "If this condition is not withdrawn, thousands of private schools will be forced to close," he said. "In such a situation, the education of lakhs of children will be affected."
• Yaqoob Memon, President of the Minority School Association Madhya Pradesh, emphasized the role of private schools in the state’s education system. "The contribution of private schools in primary education cannot be denied. About 42% of the children in the state are studying in these private schools. If they are not allowed to continue, the entire education system will collapse," he said. He added, "The need right now is to make private schools more capable and prosperous, not to plan their closure."
• Salman Hashmi, President of Khajrana Education Society, defended the work of private schools, especially those serving lower and lower-middle-class children. "Private schools are working hard to provide the best possible education at minimum fees with limited resources," he said. "If 1-2% of schools are not following the prescribed standards, it is not fair to punish all schools for this."