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Gujarat Assembly Passes Bill Tightening Rules for Aided Schools
Gujarat lawmakers passed a Bill to make stronger rules for secondary and higher secondary schools.
It brings private schools that receive government aid under the state’s education law.
The government will set rules for choosing principals, teachers, special educators and other staff.
The state’s reservation policy will apply to staff recruitment.
Schools will be able to appoint special educators for students with disabilities.
Schools that operate without registration could face prison terms, large fines or both.
Schools that illegally appoint staff or close without proper notice could also face higher fines.
The government says the changes are meant to improve transparency and protect students’ education.
The Gujarat Assembly passed the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (Amendment) Bill, 2026, by majority vote.
The Bill brings government-aided private secondary and higher secondary schools within the 1972 Education Act’s scope.
It applies the state reservation policy to staff recruitment and gives the government authority to set qualification and selection rules.
The amendments create provisions for special educators and strengthen support for children with special educational needs.
Penalties rise for illegal appointments, unregistered schooling and arbitrary closure of registered schools, including fines of up to Rs 20 lakh.
- Who
- The Gujarat Legislative Assembly passed the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
- What
- The Bill amends the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Act, 1972, to regulate aided and private schools, staff recruitment, special educators and school operations.
- Where
- Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.
- When
- Thursday, in 2026.
- Why
- The government says the amendments will strengthen recruitment transparency, implement the state reservation policy, support students with disabilities and prevent school decisions from disrupting education.
Key facts
- Legislation
- Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (Amendment) Bill, 2026
- Status
- Passed by the Gujarat Assembly by majority vote
- Schools covered
- Government-aided private secondary and higher secondary schools, with provisions also addressing fully private schools
- Illegal appointments
- A fine of up to Rs 10 lakh, compared with the earlier Rs 1,000 penalty, may apply to illegal appointments of principals or teachers in aided schools
- Unregistered schools
- Operating without registration may bring imprisonment of one to two years, a fine of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh, or both
- Arbitrary closure
- Closing a registered school without the required notice can attract a fine of Rs 20 lakh; the six-month notice requirement remains
- Special educators
- The amendments provide a legal framework for appointing special educators for children with special educational needs
Quotes
Gujarat government
The state government explaining the purpose of the increased penalties for illegal staff appointments
“The provision is aimed at ensuring greater transparency in recruitment.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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