Maharashtra: State Govt Deliberates Regulations For Private Kindergartens Amidst Policy Confusion
Maharashtra: State Govt Deliberates Regulations For Private Kindergartens Amidst Policy Confusion
In a pivotal shift towards formal education, private kindergartens are set to undergo regulatory scrutiny as the state government grapples with jurisdictional uncertainty.
20 May 2024
By Payoshi Bisht
Amidst the evolving landscape of early childhood education, the state government finds itself at a crossroads as it navigates the issue of regulating private kindergartens. Previously untouched by formal education mandates, these educational institutions now find themselves on the cusp of transformation, courtesy of the ‘National Education Policy 2020’.
Until now, private kindergartens operated in a regulatory vacuum, fostering a competitive environment with little oversight. However, the dawn of the new education policy, extending pre-primary education to children aged three to six, leads towards a significant shift. Consequently, the state government faces the daunting task of delineating the regulatory framework that will govern these establishments.
A draft of regulations, encompassing accreditation procedures, student quotas, safety protocols, facilities standards, fee structures and staff qualifications, has been meticulously prepared by the education department and laid before the government. Yet, the crucial decision of which department holds jurisdiction over private kindergartens remains elusive, casting a shadow over the impending legislation.
As discussions ensue at the highest echelons of governance, the fate of private kindergartens hangs in the balance. While government-run kindergartens prepare to align with the national education policy, their private counterparts await definitive action on proposed regulations.
Sharad Gosavi, director of primary education, affirmed the education department’s commitment to extending its curriculum to encompass private kindergartens and nurseries, underscoring a unified vision for early childhood education.
