40,000 Pre-School Operators Strike in Gujarat, Protest BU Rules & Rent Terms.

Preschool administrators across various cities in Gujarat have gone on strike in response to the state government’s implementation of strict regulations. Approximately 40,000 preschools are closed today as part of the protest. The new rules mandate that preschool administrators must possess a Building Use (BU) permission for the premises and a 15-year registered lease agreement, which administrators claim is impractical. They are demanding the relaxation of these stringent regulations.

Majority of Preschools Operated by Women Fear Job Loss

Most preschools in the state are run by women, who fear losing their livelihoods if the schools shut down due to these regulations.

Protest Held at Ahmedabad Riverfront

Preschool administrators gathered at the Ahmedabad Riverfront to voice their dissent. The Gujarat Preschool Association argues that a 15-year lease agreement is not feasible since preschools typically operate in rented homes or bungalows. Short-term rental agreements, like 11 months, are common, but a long-term lease is not financially or practically viable. Sagar Nayak, the General Secretary of the Gujarat School Association, stated that preschool administrators from districts like Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, and Morbi participated in the protest. They plan to submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister and Education Minister in Gandhinagar.

Government Demands Criticized as Impractical

Hira Rawal, a committee member of the Gujarat Preschool Association, expressed that while some demands by the government are reasonable, others are unrealistic. Preschools often operate on rented premises as they are small-scale units that cannot afford 15-year lease agreements or meet the financial burden of such contracts. Additionally, the BU permission requirement is unfeasible for many rented properties. Administrators emphasized that preschools have limited turnover and cannot meet all government-imposed standards.

Vadodara: 500 Preschools Join the Strike

In Vadodara, over 500 preschools remained closed, affecting 40,000 to 50,000 students. However, daycare services were kept operational to minimize inconvenience to parents. Mayursingh Chavda, President of Vadodara Preschool Association, highlighted the challenges women face in adhering to the new regulations. He urged the government to relax these rules to preserve women’s employment opportunities.

Personal Accounts of Women Impacted by the New Regulations

Preschool operator Pritiben shared her decade-long journey of running a preschool, employing female teachers and helpers. She expressed concerns that the new rules would not only shut down preschools but also disrupt livelihoods. Similarly, Jyotsnaben Shah, a helper, stated that her family’s survival depends on her job at the preschool. Teacher Rinaben Thakkar emphasized the significant loss for families reliant on women working in preschools.

Parents Urge the Government for Rule Relaxation

Parent Neelamben Gupta, a working woman, pointed out the vital role preschools and daycare centers play in providing a safe and homely environment for children. She appealed to the government to make the rules more lenient to ensure uninterrupted services.

Opposition to BU Permission and 15-Year Lease Requirement

The Gujarat Preschool Association reiterated that the requirement of BU permissions and 15-year lease agreements is impractical for small preschools operating in rented houses or bungalows. The association plans to present their demands to the Chief Minister and Education Minister in Gandhinagar, with Sagar Nayak emphasizing the collective action of administrators across districts.