Is the Gujarat Government Providing Rs 1.5 Crore in Financial Aid to Enhance Grant-in-Aid Schools?

Ahmedabad, Aug 7 (NationPress) Gujarat's Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has unveiled a substantial financial aid package of Rs 1.5 crore aimed at improving the infrastructure of grant-in-aid secondary and higher secondary schools statewide.

This initiative, part of the Mission School of Excellence 2.0 and in accordance with the National Education Policy 2020, represents a significant stride towards fostering equitable educational opportunities, particularly in rural and tribal communities.

Under this newly introduced scheme, the state government intends to allocate one-time financial assistance that ranges from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1.5 crore, determined by student enrollment in qualifying schools.

The funding will follow an 80:20 cost-sharing model, where the government will cover 80% of the costs, while the management board of the schools will be responsible for the remaining 20%.

This financial support is targeted at addressing critical infrastructure gaps and enhancing the learning environment through the construction of new classrooms, laboratories, libraries, computer labs, vocational training rooms, facilities for girls, drinking water systems, toilet blocks (including provisions for differently-abled students), boundary walls, painting, and major repairs. The objective is to elevate the infrastructure quality of grant-in-aid institutions to match that of government schools.

The implementation of this scheme will commence in the academic year 2025–26 and will span five years. Schools are required to submit their proposals in the specified format to the District Education Officer by September 30, 2025.

Designed to alleviate the financial pressures on school managements while improving student-centric facilities, this initiative responds directly to the long-standing requests from the Federation of Grant-in-Aid School Managements.

By addressing essential infrastructural deficiencies, the government aspires to not only enhance the academic experience for students but also to increase enrollment and retention rates in secondary and higher secondary education. The scheme particularly focuses on rural and tribal areas, where numerous schools are battling outdated or inadequate facilities.

The announcement by CM Patel signifies a broader commitment from the state to ensure quality education for all and emphasizes the necessity for students to have access to a conducive learning environment without infrastructural constraints.

State Education Minister Kuber Dindor will oversee the execution of this pivotal initiative, which is an integral part of the state's ongoing educational reform efforts.

A formal resolution has been issued by the Department of Education, laying the foundation for one of the most extensive infrastructural enhancements to Gujarat's school education system in recent years.