The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB) has given the green light for thirteen new private high schools to start functioning across the state. This significant decision, paving the way for enhanced educational infrastructure, was finalized during a recent executive committee meeting. The new institutions are slated to commence operations from the academic session of 2026-27.
Scrutiny and Selection Process
The board's executive committee undertook a detailed review of 18 proposals submitted by various private entities. After careful examination, 13 schools received provisional approval, while five applications, including one for a school in Odhav, Ahmedabad, were turned down. The approval process began after the board invited online applications between December 5 and January 4. Each applicant was required to submit necessary documents digitally and pay a non-refundable application fee of Rs 20,000.
Geographical Spread and Educational Streams
The approved schools are distributed across several districts, indicating a broad geographical reach for the new educational facilities. The breakdown is as follows: one school each in Banaskantha, Jamnagar, Surendranagar, Vadodara, Gandhinagar, and Ahmedabad city (New Vatva area); two each in Panchmahal and Morbi; and three in Surat.
A notable trend is the preference for English medium education. Out of the thirteen approved schools, eight will offer instruction in English medium, while five will be Gujarati medium institutions. In terms of academic streams, four schools will provide science stream courses, and the remaining nine will focus on the general stream.
Next Steps and Future Reviews
The granted approval is currently provisional. The schools must now undergo further formalities, including a physical inspection of their proposed sites by board officials. Only after successfully clearing these steps will they be granted permanent recognition. The board has also clarified that applications which were not part of this first batch of 18 will be reviewed in subsequent executive committee meetings in the near future.
This move by the GSHSEB is expected to increase access to private secondary and higher secondary education in these regions, offering more choices to students and parents. The rejection of proposals, including two from Surendranagar and one each from Ahmedabad city, Kutch, and Rajkot, underscores the board's stringent evaluation criteria focusing on compliance and feasibility.
