The Gujarat Independent Preschool Association has announced that all preschools in the state will close on Tuesday, December 3, to protest the government’s failure to address issues related to new registration directives. The protest is expected to involve preschool owners and association members gathering at Ramkatha Ground in Gandhinagar.
The new guidelines, issued by the state education department, require all preschools in Gujarat to register with the state government by February 2025. Preschools that do not comply by the deadline will be prohibited from operating. However, the new directives have caused confusion, delaying the registration process for many preschools.
Despite repeated requests for changes to the rules, the government has yet to take action.
Sagar Nayak, spokesperson for the Gujarat Independent Preschool Association, said, “We have raised our concerns with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Education Minister Kuber Dindor, and State Education Minister Praful Pansheriya, but no response has been received. As a result, we are forced to close all preschools across the state and hold a silent protest in Gandhinagar on December 3.”
The association has raised objections to three key points in the new guidelines.
What the Association Wants
One of the primary concerns is the requirement for preschools to obtain “BU permission” (Building Use permission), but the directive does not clarify which type of permission is required. The association is asking the government to accept any existing BU permission, whether for educational, commercial, or residential use. If no BU permission is available, the association proposes that preschools be allowed to submit a structural stability certificate as an alternative.
Another demand from the association is to allow an 11-month notarized rent agreement instead of the current 15-year lease requirement. Many preschool owners find it difficult to secure long-term leases, and the association argues that the shorter rental term would be more practical.
Lastly, the association is seeking more flexibility in the registration process. It proposes allowing preschool owners to register as sole proprietorships or partnerships, rather than requiring registration as a trust, non-profit company, or cooperative society.
The protest is a direct response to the ongoing frustrations over these new regulations, which the preschool association believes are impractical and unfair to many school owners.
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