Ahmedabad: The School Board of Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has taken a significant decision to introduce standards 9 and 10 in seven municipal schools, one in each of the city’s seven zones, from the next academic session. With this decision, these schools, which were previously providing free education only up to standard 8, will now offer free education up to standard 10. The move aims to reduce the dropout rate among students.

With this initiative, students from economically weaker and middle-class backgrounds will be able to complete their secondary education at municipal schools without any financial burden. Currently, AMC runs over 400 schools that provide education up to standard 8. However, the school board now plans to expand secondary education by introducing classes for standards 9 and 10, ensuring free education from pre-primary (Balvatika) to standard 10.

An estimated 1.70 lakh students study in these 400 schools. After completing standard 8, students often have to enroll in private schools with high fees or granted schools with nominal fees. With the introduction of secondary classes from the next academic year, students will now have access to free education, along with benefits such as free books and uniforms.

Regarding this decision, school board chairman Sujay Mehta stated that initially, these secondary schools will be established in seven zones, with plans for expansion based on board directives and available resources. Over time, more municipal schools will introduce secondary classes as per feasibility.

The list of schools that will have classes up to the 10th standard: