Gujarat Plans to Ease Fee Rules for Top-Performing Schools
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In a significant shift in education policy, the Gujarat government has proposed amendments to the Gujarat Self-Financed Schools (Fee Regulation) Act, 2017. The change would allow private schools that consistently deliver outstanding academic results to set their own fees without prior approval from the state’s Fee Regulatory Committee (FRC).
As per the proposed revision, schools that meet two performance benchmarks—a 99% pass rate and an average score of 75% or higher over a continuous three-year period—may be exempted from the FRC’s fee-approval process. These benchmarks aim to incentivize educational excellence while easing regulatory hurdles for high-performing institutions.
According to Education Minister Kuber Dindor, the objective of this amendment is twofold: encouraging competition and promoting quality education. “Schools that deliver consistently good academic results should be empowered,” he said, noting that the current process often causes delays and administrative burdens for schools with proven track records.
The proposal has already been approved by the Gujarat Cabinet and will be introduced in the upcoming session of the state Assembly. However, the move has stirred a debate. While private school associations have welcomed the flexibility, some education activists and parents’ groups are concerned about unchecked fee hikes and growing inequality in access to quality education.
Experts also caution that academic performance alone may not be an adequate measure of a school’s value, and that mechanisms for transparency and accountability should accompany such freedom.
If implemented, the new rule could become a model for other states looking to balance educational autonomy with regulatory oversight. The development marks a critical moment in the evolving relationship between private education and government control in Gujarat.
