Maharashtra puts school closures on hold, orders 3-month impact assessment

The Maharashtra government has decided to conduct a three-month impact assessment before proceeding with the closure, merger or restructuring of schools with fewer than 20 students, following protests by students, teachers and education organisations against the policy.

The move comes more than two years after the state issued a March 2024 government resolution directing the closure of schools with low enrolment. According to the latest available data from 2025, Maharashtra has 14,251 schools with fewer than 20 students.

The decision was taken at a meeting at Mantralaya on Thursday between Ranjitsinh Deol, principal secretary of the state school education department, and representatives of Shala Vachava, Shikshan Vachava (Save Schools, Save Education), a forum representing students, teachers and organisations working in the education sector.

The meeting followed an indefinite sit-in protest launched by the forum at Azad Maidan on October 5. The protesters have demanded the withdrawal of the 2024 resolution, arguing that low enrolment alone should not determine the future of a school.

“It is wrong to close any government or aided school just because the number of students is low,” said Sampat Desai, convenor of the forum. He said authorities must consider local circumstances before deciding to close, merge or restructure schools.

Review to focus on students’ access and safety

A senior state official said the assessment would examine whether students could continue to access education without disruption if their schools were closed or merged.

The review will consider the distance to the nearest school, travel time, availability of safe transport, geographical conditions, the safety of girl students, the needs of children with disabilities and local social conditions.

Authorities will also examine whether schools are situated in tribal, hilly or remote areas. The views of gram sabhas and parents will be considered before decisions are taken, the official said.

Desai said the government had assured the protesters that steps would be taken to ensure that no student drops out or loses attendance because of school restructuring.

Following the assurance, the forum has temporarily suspended its indefinite protest. However, its representatives have warned of a larger agitation if the commitments are not implemented by December.

Protesters seek review committee

The forum has also called for a review committee to recommend clear criteria for school closures. It wants the panel to include education experts, teachers, parents, representatives of local self-government bodies and members of disadvantaged groups.

According to the senior official, Deol has assured the delegation that he would discuss the proposal with the state education minister before taking a decision.

The agitation had earlier prompted the state government to announce inspections of schools, with officials visiting institutions in Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri districts.

State education minister Dada Bhuse also met the protesters on October 5 and assured them that schools would not be closed without due consideration.

The proposed assessment is expected to help the government evaluate the consequences of school restructuring, particularly for children in remote and underserved areas, before deciding on the future of low-enrolment schools.