Maharashtra: Education Council proposes to shut down 43 govt-run girls schools

In a recent development, the Maharashtra Primary Education Council (MPSP) has proposed to the state government to shut down 43 government-run girls' schools, known as "Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalay" (KGBV). This proposal has raised questions about the safety and education of nearly 26,000 girls.

The government started KGBVs in 2008 with the goal of providing females with access to housing and education in ten areas with low rates of female literacy. The proposal was brought about by demands from the central and state governments.

For KGBV students enrolled in classes 3 through 6, the government covers both tuition and hostel fees. For students enrolled in classes 7 through 12, the government only covers living facilities.

However, a central government order stated that these schools were catering exclusively to girls, in violation of the "co-education" ideal. Because of this, the MPSP has now suggested moving KGBV students to other schools and converting existing buildings into residential facilities.

The MPSP proposal was submitted to the state education secretary. It advised stopping educational activity at KGBVs from the 2024-25 academic session.

The proposal claims that there are fewer students in these schools and lesser resources available to them. Because of this, girls are denied a complete education in the absence of coeducational facilities.

Students enrolled in these schools are allowed to stay in the hostels and attend lessons in neighbouring schools. Teachers at these schools, who receive compensation through the Sarva Shiksha Scheme, would be reassigned to neighbouring schools.

If the new schools are more than three kilometres from the hostels, they will receive transport subsidies under the Samagra Shiksha scheme. In 16 locations, the MPSP is also willing to pay a transportation allowance of INR 6,000.

Reports show that the process of closing the schools has been ongoing for the past two years. Currently, about 50% of teaching posts remain unfilled due to the government's inadequate supply of teachers.

Many schools are particularly short on math and science teachers. Parents of KGBV students are also concerned about their daughters' safety if they decide to commute between hostels and schools.