Key Highlights

  • Big shift: 4,817 students in Ahmedabad district moved from private to government schools in 2025-26.
  • Long-term trend: Over 11 years, more than 60,000 children have left prominent private schools for AMC schools, officials say.
  • Modern facilities: Schools like Thaltej Primary School – 2 offer smart classrooms, robotics labs and science and maths labs.
  • Nutrition support: Students get milk, breakfast and meals at school.
  • Policy push: The state’s ‘Mission Schools of Excellence’ focuses on quality, infrastructure and tech-based learning.

For years, many Indian parents have seen private schools as the safer choice for their children’s future. In Ahmedabad, that belief is slowly changing. During the 2025-26 academic year, 4,817 students in Ahmedabad district left private schools and enrolled in government schools, a sign of growing trust in public education.

Not a One-Year Trend

The shift has been building for years. Dr L. D. Desai, Administrative Officer in the Education Department, Ahmedabad, said parents are taking leaving certificates from well-known private schools in the city and admitting their children to municipal government schools. Over the past 11 years, more than 60,000 children have moved from prominent private schools to schools run by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, he said.

Inside a Modern Government School

Thaltej Primary School – 2 in Ahmedabad shows what is drawing families in. The school has smart classrooms, digital learning tools, science and mathematics laboratories, a robotics lab, a library and sports facilities.

Principal Chirag Joshi said the school has Google-featured classrooms, a smart library, maths and science labs and a robotics lab. Smart boards are used in all classrooms to make lessons interactive and engaging.

What Students and Parents Say

Students say the science lab’s models help them understand concepts and learn new things. They also praised the quality of teaching and facilities such as the science, mathematics, future and robotics labs.

Parents are also impressed. Sundaraben, a parent, said the school has a large playground, sports equipment and musical instruments. She also appreciated that children receive milk in the morning, followed by breakfast and meals.

The Policy Behind the Change

Officials credit initiatives under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, such as the ‘Mission Schools of Excellence’, for the transformation. The programme focuses on quality education, modern infrastructure and technology-enabled learning, aiming to support children’s academic, physical and mental development.

Why It Matters

When government schools offer facilities comparable to private ones, along with free meals and no heavy fees, it can ease a major financial burden on families. For many households, especially from middle- and lower-income groups, a good-quality free school can free up money for other needs while still giving children access to modern learning.

The Bigger Picture

Ahmedabad’s experience offers a model for other cities. Strong public schools can reduce inequality, giving children from all backgrounds a fair start. The real test, however, will be learning outcomes, such as reading, maths and exam results, over the coming years.

What Comes Next

Officials say continued investment in infrastructure, digital learning, labs, sports and nutrition will help government schools compete with private institutions and build stronger futures for students.

With inputs from IANS.