Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government has ordered the takeover of the administration of Seventh-day Adventist Higher Secondary School in the Maninagar area of the city, following serious violations of education laws, affiliation norms and safety regulations that came to light during an official inquiry initiated after a fatal incident on the school campus.

The school functions as an ICSE-affiliated institution from Classes 1 to 12 and also runs Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB)-recognised Classes 11 and 12 (Science stream). The inquiry was ordered after a shocking incident in which a Class 8 student allegedly attacked a Class 10 student with a sharp weapon, leading to the latter’s death. In the aftermath, multiple representations were submitted seeking strict action against the school management.

Inquiry and inspection

Acting on these complaints, the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board and the Directorate of Primary Education directed the District Education Officer (DEO), Ahmedabad, to conduct a detailed investigation into the school’s functioning, approvals and recognitions. A site inspection was carried out by appointed officers, followed by a formal inquiry by a committee constituted under Rule 14 of the Gujarat RTE Rules, 2012, in accordance with the RTE Act, 2009, Gujarat RTE Rules, 2012, the School Safety Policy and ICSE affiliation rules.

Based on the inquiry, the DEO submitted a report dated October 18, 2025, highlighting multiple serious deficiencies on the part of the school.

Major violations found

According to the report, the school allegedly committed the following irregularities:

• Additional classes were started without obtaining prior approval from the concerned boards, and no supporting documents were submitted.

• The trust or society managing the school was not clearly identified, with different documents referring to different trusts/societies.

• As per CISCE rules, a school must be run by a single registered non-profit trust or society; the school failed to provide clarity on this requirement.

• Mandatory prior approvals were not obtained for changes in school administration, trust structure or campus facilities.

• The school failed to submit proof of minority status for its primary section.

• Sale of books within the school premises was found to amount to profiteering, which is prohibited under the Gujarat Self-Financed Schools (Fee Regulation) Act, 2017. Audited accounts indicated income from book sales, suggesting a prima facie violation of the law.

• The school was being run in two shifts without mandatory approval, separate staffing or separate records, in violation of prescribed norms.

• The land on which the school is located was leased for 99 years by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation to “The India Financial Association of Seventh-day Adventists” for educational purposes, while the school is allegedly being run by a different entity — “The Council of Seventh-Day Adventist Educational Institutions / Ashlock Education Trust” — indicating a breach of lease conditions.

• Approved plans submitted by the school mentioned only two buildings, whereas the campus currently has three buildings — Alpha, Shelom and Omega.

• A building use (BU) permission certificate was submitted only for one block (B Block), obtained in 2009, while no BU permission was produced for the existing construction.

• In its affidavit submitted while seeking approval for Classes 11 and 12 (Science) under the GSHSEB, the school had declared that no other secondary or higher secondary institution was being run on the same premises, whereas an ICSE school from Classes 1 to 12 was already operational, indicating suppression of facts.

• MBA and Bachelor of Science and Arts colleges were functioning on the same campus. While an ICSE Board NOC dated May 25, 2022, was produced, no NOC from the GSHSEB was submitted.

Directorate’s opinion

The Directorate of Primary Education concluded that the school had violated Rule 106(a) of the Bombay Primary Education Rules, 1949, and Rule 13 of the Gujarat RTE Rules, 2012, in matters relating to recognition, affiliation and additional classes. Violations were also found with respect to changes in management and trust structure, minority status claims, RTE provisions, profiteering, unauthorised dual shifts and breach of lease conditions.

The report further stated that false affidavits and documents were submitted at the time of seeking approvals, amounting to misrepresentation and cheating, thereby breaching the trust of students, parents and the Fee Regulatory Committee (FRC).

In view of these findings, the Director of Primary Education recommended that, under Rule 104(2) of the Bombay Primary Education Rules, 1949, the administration of the private school be taken over by the state government and handed over to the District Education Officer, Ahmedabad city, as the controlling authority.

Government decision

Based on the DEO’s report dated October 18, 2025, and the recommendation of the Director of Primary Education dated November 6, 2025, the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board placed the matter before the state government. Acting on the government’s approval, the Board issued an order on December 15, 2025.

Considering the interest of over 10,000 students currently enrolled, the state government has decided to take over the administration of all schools functioning on the campus, with the condition that no new admissions will be granted. The District Education Officer, Ahmedabad city, has been appointed as the administrator.

The takeover covers:

• The GSHSEB-recognised Classes 11 and 12 Science stream school
• The private primary school under Rule 104(2) of the Bombay Primary Education Rules, 1949
• The ICSE-affiliated primary, secondary and higher secondary school sections

Detailed instructions regarding the implementation of the takeover will be issued separately by the Directorate of Primary Education and the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board. DeshGujarat