Risk of Closure for 750 Schools in Maharashtra, Warns Principals’ Association

Pune, 22nd May 2025: The State Secondary and Higher Secondary School Principals’ Association has raised an alarm over the possible closure of around 750 schools in Maharashtra, following recent changes in the norms for school recognition and sanctioned staffing. The association has warned that unless the state government withdraws the new policy, a statewide sit-in protest will be launched at district collector offices starting June 17.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, association secretary Nandkumar Sagar said the revised norms issued by the School Education Department stipulate that schools with fewer than 20 students will not be allotted any teachers. “This move will force many rural, hilly, and tribal schools to shut down, depriving children in remote areas of their fundamental right to education,” Sagar said.

He added that over 8,000 villages in Maharashtra still lack basic educational infrastructure. Of these, 6,563 villages do not have higher secondary schools, and 1,610 do not even have primary schools. Under the new policy, approximately 2,250 teachers from the affected 750 schools could be rendered surplus.

The association also fears that Marathi-medium schools will be disproportionately affected. “This policy undermines the Right to Free and Compulsory Education and will destroy small schools that are essential for local communities,” Sagar said.

Also present at the press conference were Shivhar Lahane, president of the State Teachers’ Council, and association members Rajesh Gaikwad, Vitthal Malshikare, Pravin Gaikwad, and Prasad Gaikwad. They collectively urged the government to revoke the policy and warned that students, parents, teachers, and civil society organizations would join the protest if the demands are not addressed by June 17.