Govt tables bill to let corporate houses open private schools in Maharashtra

State also proposes to reduce space required to open a school in Mumbai to 500sqm from current 2,000sqm

The state government tabled a bill late on Monday to amend the Maharashtra Self-Financed Schools Act, 2012, so that corporate houses can start schools, too.

The state government wants to make it easier to start private schools. (HT File Photo)

Currently, only trusts, registered societies and local authorities can run self-financed schools.

The amendment will allow companies registered as non-profit organisations under section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013, to set up schools. This will open the educational space to all corporates who will then only have to register non-profit firms.

The proposed amendment to section 3 of the Maharashtra Self-Financed Schools Act also reduces the space required to open a school in Mumbai to 500 square metres, from the current 2,000 square metres, and in other areas, to one acre from two.

School education minister Vinod Tawde tabled the bill in the state Assembly, the debate for which is likely to start on Tuesday.