Gujarat: 47 school applications rejected by GSHSEB

Nearly 95% of applications for new schools, of those scrutinised, have been rejected by the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB). Thanks to the groundbreaking change in the state school policy that made ownership of a playground mandatory for affiliation to the state board.

The board has received around 350 applications of which 49 have been scrutinised till round 2 of the process. The board had rejected 19 applications including two from Ahmedabad in the first round and 90% of those were rejected for not having a playground. "In the second round, of the 49 scrutinised, only 2 have got permission as they matched the criteria whereas 47 have been rejected", confirmed DS Patel, Secretary, GSHSEB. We have taken into consideration whether the schools have a playground or not, ownership of the building, building usage permission, classroom size, approval of their map, etc", he said.

Last year, the government had amended the rule for approving new secondary and higher secondary schools, making it mandatory for schools to have a playground.

After several complaints, the board last year scrapped affiliations of nearly two dozen schools. Interestingly, after the new rules were announced, representatives of the Gujarat State School Management Association (GSSMA) wrote to the state government raising concerns over the issue. According to the Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Act, there is no compulsion for a school to own a playground space. It could be taken on rent or lease by the school management. The requirement of a 1,200-square-yard playground for schools in urban areas and a 2,000-square-yard space in rural areas was mandatory as per old rules. At a time when the costs are so high, it is impossible for schools to get such a large space, they had stated. A trustee of a school, requesting anonymity said, "While the rules are good but they also mean discouraging new schools to come up. City has already expanded a lot. To start a school wth playground will also mean higher fees, to recover costs. The government should also consider those aspects."

IN NUMBERS

• 350 Total applications received
• 49 Total scrutinised 
• 47 Rejected
• 2 Approved