The Maharashtra School Education Department has declared 324 secondary schools and 412 junior college divisions permanently unfit to receive government salary grants after they repeatedly failed to meet the required standards despite being granted several chances and deadline extensions over the years. This decision is likely to significantly affect the functioning of these institutions and their employees, particularly in urban regions. Education experts have expressed concern about the long-term stability of these schools and the academic future of students enrolled in them, as the loss of financial support could impact both teaching quality and infrastructure development.
As per a Government Resolution issued on April 2, these institutions were operating without government aid and were expected to qualify for grants by fulfilling specific conditions, including maintaining proper staff records, appointing qualified teachers, and complying with academic and administrative requirements. The state had been assessing such schools in phases since 2011 to determine their eligibility for financial support. However, many institutions failed to meet the benchmarks during this prolonged evaluation process, resulting in their permanent disqualification. The affected schools include those offering classes from grades 8 to 10, and in some cases, from grades 5 to 10 or 9 to 10.
A large number of these institutions are situated in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, covering areas such as Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, and Raigad. Among all districts, Thane has the highest number of affected schools at 68, followed by Mumbai with 54, Palghar with 46, Pune with 26, Raigad with 21, and Nashik with 19. Other districts such as Jalgaon, Nandurbar, Solapur, and Dhule also account for a considerable number of schools impacted by this decision.
The government has further cautioned that these institutions risk losing their licences if they fail to seek fresh recognition. According to the resolution, all affected schools must apply for approval under the self-financed category by April 30, 2026, or face cancellation of their recognition status. To ensure that students’ education is not disrupted, authorities have instructed education officers to arrange transfers of students from these schools to nearby aided or government institutions between May 1 and May 31.
Reacting to the decision, Mahendra Ganpule, former vice president of the state principals’ association, criticised the move, stating that while these schools are officially permitted to operate, they were unable to meet the criteria required for grants. He pointed out that the government is now directing them to obtain approval under the self-financed category, which creates a complex situation where institutions may effectively function under dual approval systems.