The new academic session for schools across Vidarbha commenced on Monday, June 23, but many classrooms remained empty—not because of absent students or teachers, but due to a statewide protest. The Maharashtra Rajya Shikshan Sanstha Mahamandal, representing private aided schools, called for the protest, accusing the state government of delaying grant-in-aid disbursements.
The organisation has also raised concerns over the lack of action on pending reimbursements worth hundreds of crores under the Right to Education (RTE) scheme.
In protest, the Mahamandal announced a one-day school shutdown, which saw widespread participation across districts like Nagpur, Akola, Washim, Buldhana, Gadchiroli, and Chandrapur.
“The grant-in-aid issue has been dragging on for years. The government keeps making promises, but there’s no action. If schools don’t receive grants, how are we expected to run them?” questioned Ravindra Fadnavis, General Secretary of the Mahamandal.
While the exact number of schools that remained closed is not known, Fadnavis claimed that a majority of institutions supported the Federation’s call for protest. The agitation has also received backing from the Maharashtra State Teachers’ Association, which emphasized that the issue goes beyond school managements and concerns the future of the education sector as a whole.
Ironically, even as several schools remained closed, Education Minister Dada Bhuse was seen welcoming students to the new academic year at a Zilla Parishad primary school in Seenagaon Jahangir village, Buldhana district. The event was marked by enthusiasm and celebrations.
However, for thousands of students across various parts of Vidarbha, the first day of the academic year turned out to be unproductive, as they returned to find locked gates and deserted school premises.
The Mahamandal has warned that if the government does not act promptly to address the pending grant and reimbursement issues, it will intensify its agitation with a statewide protest next month.
Whether the government steps in to resolve the standoff or lets the crisis deepen remains to be seen in the days ahead.
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