Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Yashwantrao Chavan Centre Backs Protest Against Maharashtra School Closures
A group called the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre has supported a protest against plans to close some schools in Maharashtra.
The schools include Zilla Parishad and aided schools.
The centre says closing them could make it harder for children to go to school near home.
It is especially concerned about children from poorer and marginalised communities.
The centre says schools should get better buildings, facilities and enough teachers before closures are considered.
It also wants the government to hear from parents, teachers and other people affected.
The group says the Right to Education Act supports schooling close to where children live.
It has asked the government to reconsider its plan and improve schools instead.
The Yashwantrao Chavan Centre backed Shikshan Vikas Manch’s agitation against proposed closures of Zilla Parishad and aided schools.
The centre urged Maharashtra’s government to reconsider the policy and strengthen existing schools instead.
Its letter warned that closures could reduce nearby education access, especially for children from marginalised and economically weaker communities.
The centre said schools should first receive better facilities and education quality improvements, including classrooms, toilets, playgrounds, drinking water and teachers.
It called for consultations with teachers, parents, experts and local bodies, citing the Right to Education Act’s emphasis on neighbourhood schooling.
- Who
- The Yashwantrao Chavan Centre and Shikshan Vikas Manch; the centre’s letter was addressed to a School Education Department committee.
- What
- The centre supported an agitation opposing proposed closures of Zilla Parishad and aided schools and urged the government to strengthen existing schools.
- When
- The article does not specify a date.
- Where
- Maharashtra, India.
- Why
- The centre raised concerns about educational access and equality, particularly for children from marginalised and economically weaker communities.
Opposition to closures
Government rationale
Whether to close schools
Opposition to closures
The Yashwantrao Chavan Centre backed the agitation and urged the government to reconsider closures, arguing that schools should be strengthened instead.
Government rationale
The proposed policy would close Zilla Parishad and aided schools; the article says low enrolment is cited as a rationale. It does not provide the government’s fuller position.
Addressing low enrolment
Opposition to closures
The centre argued that inadequate facilities and education quality should be addressed before closures are considered.
Government rationale
The article reports low enrolment as a reason for the proposed closures but does not detail the government’s response to the centre’s concerns.
- Supporting organisation
- Yashwantrao Chavan Centre
- Protest movement
- Shikshan Vikas Manch
- Schools affected
- Zilla Parishad and aided schools
- State
- Maharashtra
- Relevant law
- Right to Education Act, 2009
- Requested action
- Reconsider closures and strengthen government and aided schools
- Issues cited
- Access, equality, school infrastructure, teacher recruitment and education quality