Maharashtra Delays School Closures for Impact Study Amid Protests
The Maharashtra government has paused school closures to assess the educational impact following widespread protests.
Maharashtra government will conduct a three-month impact assessment on school closures.
Protests have been ongoing since October 5, demanding the withdrawal of a resolution to close schools with fewer than 20 students.
The government has assured that no student will lose access to education due to restructuring.
In a significant move, the Maharashtra government has decided to halt the planned closures of schools with fewer than 20 students, following protests from concerned stakeholders. This decision was announced after a meeting on Thursday at Mantralaya, where Ranjitsinh Deol, the principal secretary of the school education department, engaged with representatives from the Shala Vachava, Shikshan Vachava forum, which includes students, teachers, and various education organizations.
The backdrop to this decision includes an indefinite sit-in protest that began on October 5 at Azad Maidan. Protesters are urging the government to retract a resolution from March 2024 that mandates the closure of small schools. According to data from 2025, Maharashtra has 14,251 schools that fall under this category. Sampat Desai, the convenor of the protest group, emphasized the need for careful consideration before any school is closed, merged, or restructured, highlighting the importance of maintaining educational access for all students.
The government plans to conduct a comprehensive three-month study to evaluate the potential effects of school closures on student access to education. This assessment will take into account several factors, including the distance to the nearest school, travel times, availability of safe transportation, geographical conditions, and the specific needs of vulnerable student populations, such as girls and those with disabilities. The input from local communities, including gram sabhas and parents, will also be integral to this evaluation process.
Desai noted that the government has committed to ensuring that no student drops out or loses attendance due to these changes. Following this assurance, the protest group has temporarily suspended their indefinite demonstration but warned of escalating actions if their concerns are not addressed by December. Additionally, the protesters have called for the establishment of a review committee to develop criteria for school closures, advocating for the inclusion of education experts, teachers, and community representatives in this process.
The protests have already prompted the state to initiate inspections of schools, particularly in the Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri districts. Education Minister Dada Bhuse met with protesters on October 5, promising that no school closures would occur without thorough consideration of the implications for students. As the situation develops, the government’s next steps will be closely monitored by stakeholders across the education sector.
