The Corporate Classroom: Will Indian Schools Make the Leap?

India’s school education system may need a new management and ownership framework to meet the growing demands of modern education, according to an opinion article by the Naman Jain, Vice Chairman of Silverline Prestige School-one of Ghaziabad’s leading skill-ready schools)

The article highlights the need to consider whether schools should be allowed to operate as companies instead of being restricted to trust and society structures. It argues that professional management, better financial planning and access to investment could help schools improve infrastructure, technology and learning facilities.

According to UDISE+ 2024-25 data cited in the article, India has more than 14.71 lakh schools serving over 24.69 crore students. Private schools account for around 26% of schools and 41% of student enrolments, employing nearly 42% of the country’s school teachers.

The article points out that modern schools require investments in digital learning platforms, artificial intelligence, teacher training, student counselling, sports and other facilities. While trust-based institutions can manage these requirements, expansion and professional management may create additional challenges.

It also stresses that corporatisation should not lead to the commercialisation of education. Any change in the ownership framework must protect students’ interests, teacher welfare, affordability, fee transparency, academic freedom and educational quality.

Also Read: NCERT develops AI and computational thinking module for classes 9 to 12

The article suggests that trusts, societies and professionally managed companies should be allowed to coexist under a transparent regulatory system with clear accountability standards.

It concludes that school regulations should focus more on learning outcomes, student safety and institutional performance rather than ownership structure alone.