To protest new bill, trust-run schools mull lockout from Aug 9

With the state government proposing to replace the Mumbai Charitable Trust Act, 1950 with the Gujarat Charitable Trust Bill, 2011, members of educational trusts that fall under Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB) have expressed angst and threatened to carry out a school lockout across the state, if the government fails to lend an ear to their pleas. Nearly 250 trust members from schools across the state gathered outside the Town Hall in Ahmedabad to protest against the new bill, on Monday.

"Under the new bill, a government 'watchdog' will be appointed as member of our trust board. Will the state government like it if the Centre appoints a watchdog in the state jurisdiction? We will also not be able to appoint school staff under the new bill. We are left with no choice but to protest," convenor of School Management Association's Coordination Committee (SMACC), Narayan Patel said.

Members of SMACC said that the protest which has been going on since June 16 will continue till the upcoming assembly elections. Meanwhile, trustees will carry out a lockout in schools from August 9-12 if the government refuses to listen to them. "Since November 2009, there have 15,000 vacancies in schools of the state but still no staff have been appointed. Under the Mumbai Act, 1950, we have been appointing staff in our schools. Now these rights will be taken away from us," said Ambu Patel.