The changes are expected to reduce procedural hurdles for those seeking permission to open schools. The revised provisions also allow schools greater flexibility in using available space and arranging playground facilities.
The Ease of Doing Business approach aims to simplify government rules, laws and procedures so that individuals and organisations can start and operate businesses without repeated visits to government offices or lengthy paperwork. By bringing school education under this framework, the Gujarat government has made changes to the approval process for new educational institutions.
According to a report by Bhaskar, the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB) has decided to reintroduce earlier provisions governing the establishment of new schools. Under the previous rules, management bodies were also permitted to lease land for such projects. The government has now provided relief in lease agreement requirements for organisations seeking to establish new schools under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities.
Earlier, permission to open additional schools in a particular area depended on local requirements and prescribed conditions. The government has removed this requirement, allowing multiple schools to be established in an area without considering the earlier location-based necessity condition.
The board has also removed the requirement for an Essentiality Certificate when applying to introduce new classes or increase the number of faculty members and students. This is expected to reduce the documentation required during the approval process.
Another significant change concerns playground facilities. The Gujarat government has allowed schools to use their rooftops as playgrounds, subject to compliance with children's safety guidelines.
Schools that do not have sufficient land to develop a playground on their premises can use an existing playground located within 500 metres of the school's main gate. However, they must have a lease agreement or formal arrangement of at least 15 years with the playground's owner, institution or competent authority.
The government has also relaxed classroom size requirements. Previously, classrooms in new schools were required to have a minimum area of 400 square feet. This minimum size requirement has now been removed, allowing smaller rooms to be converted into classrooms. However, the maximum limit of 60 students per classroom remains unchanged.
The decision to relax these conditions follows a decline in the number of new schools being established in Gujarat and difficulties faced by applicants in meeting land-related requirements.
Strict standards introduced by the state education board had resulted in an approximately 80% decline in the number of new schools during 2019-20. During the current session, the authorities received 443 applications for opening new schools, but only 47 received approval because of the stringent requirements.
Alongside the changes to school establishment rules, GSHSEB has introduced provisions for school wellness teams for students in Classes 9 to 12. Schools affiliated with the Gujarat Board will be required to constitute these teams at the beginning of every academic session to identify mental stress among students and arrange assistance whenever required.
Each wellness team will include the school principal, teachers, a counsellor or designated teacher, a representative of the school management committee, one non-teaching staff member and two student representatives known as 'Mano-Mitra'.
Under the new provisions, schools with 100 or more students must appoint at least one counsellor, psychologist or trained social worker. Smaller schools will be required to establish arrangements for accessing external mental health specialists and nearby health centres.
The revised framework combines easier procedures for establishing schools with provisions for student well-being. While the relaxed norms provide greater flexibility in land use, infrastructure and classroom arrangements, the requirement to maintain a maximum of 60 students per classroom and comply with safety guidelines remains in place.
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