Maharashtra Government Proposes Legislation to Regulate Private Preschool Sector
The state of Maharashtra is taking significant steps to bring private preschools under a formal regulatory framework. According to a PTI report, the state government is proposing legislation that would make registration mandatory and introduce comprehensive quality standards for early childhood education institutions.
Minister Announces Regulatory Push in State Assembly
School Education Minister Dada Bhuse informed the state assembly on Friday that this initiative aims to ensure greater accountability and uniform standards in Maharashtra's rapidly expanding preschool sector. The government has already begun implementing preliminary measures through administrative channels.
Bhuse revealed that a circular issued on April 24, 2025, made it compulsory for all private institutions offering pre-primary education to register on the Preschool Registration Portal. Thousands of centers have already responded to this directive, marking the beginning of a systematic regulatory approach.
Registration Drive Gains Momentum Across State
According to the minister's statement, 12,733 private pre-primary education centers across Maharashtra have registered on the portal so far. The government has appealed to remaining institutions to complete the registration process promptly to ensure their inclusion in the forthcoming regulatory framework.
Officials believe this registration drive will help the state build a comprehensive database of preschools, many of which currently operate without consistent oversight or standardized monitoring mechanisms.
Proposed Legislation Details and Regulatory Structure
Bhuse told the legislative assembly that the government is actively working on a law specifically designed to regulate private preschools. The proposed legislation is expected to focus on three key areas:
- Mandatory registration for all private preschool institutions
- Institutional regulation through established frameworks
- Quality assurance mechanisms for early childhood education
Under the proposed regulatory framework, the state plans to appoint a competent authority tasked with registering and overseeing such institutions. All preschools would be required to register through the online portal, with their registration subject to renewal every three years, according to the minister's explanation.
Quality Standards and Child-Friendly Learning Environment
The government is also investigating a comprehensive set of guidelines designed to enhance the quality of preschool education throughout Maharashtra. Several specific suggestions are currently under consideration:
- A student-to-teacher ratio of 20:1 to ensure adequate attention for each child
- A child-based curriculum tailored to developmental needs
- Availability of appropriate toys and learning tools that facilitate early learning
- Child-friendly infrastructure requirements to ensure safe and developmentally suitable environments
Ban on Admission Examinations for Young Children
In a significant policy shift, Bhuse clarified that preschools at the pre-primary level would be prohibited from administering written or oral entrance examinations for admission. Instead, the proposed regulatory framework would allow for comprehensive evaluation of a child's development through more appropriate assessment methods.
Legislative Process and Implementation Timeline
The minister confirmed that the draft proposal has already received inputs from the Women and Child Development Department and has been forwarded to the Law and Judiciary Department for legal scrutiny and vetting.
The state government aims to finalize the legislation and bring it into effect before the upcoming academic year. This move is expected to introduce clearer rules, enhanced accountability, and standardized quality measures in Maharashtra's private preschool ecosystem, potentially serving as a model for other states considering similar regulatory frameworks for early childhood education.
