Bhopal: Over 23,000 private schools in Madhya Pradesh remained closed on January 30 as part of a protest against the state government’s new recognition norms for Classes 1 to 8. The Madhya Pradesh Board Private School Association organized the strike following a meeting in Indore, urging the government to address concerns regarding school recognition and transportation regulations.
The new norms include mandatory fixed deposit (FD) recognition fees and a registered rent agreement for schools seeking fresh or renewed recognition. The association has called for these rules to be exempted for existing schools, arguing that they impose financial and administrative burdens.
As part of the protest, school operators across the state gathered at Gandhi statues in different locations to submit memorandums to the authorities.
MP Board Private School Association’s state vice-president, Gopal Soni, stated that all member schools were united in the strike. “The registered rent agreement requirement for recognition should be reconsidered. The deadline for compliance is January 31, but no decision has been made despite repeated appeals to the Education Minister and Chief Minister,” he said.
School representatives have communicated their concerns through public representatives, but no response has been received from the government. The association continues to push for amendments to the regulations before the recognition deadline.
