Mumbai: In a major policy decision, minister of state for school education Pankaj Bhoyar announced on Thursday that secondary schools in rural regions of Maharashtra will now be permitted to have three teachers if the combined student enrolment for classes IX and X is 20 or more, relaxing teacher-staffing metrics for the 2025-26 academic year.The decision marks a major shift from the earlier Govt Resolution (GR) dated March 15, 2024. Under the previous rule, three teachers were permitted only if the combined student count was at least 40 in schools located within a 3- to 5-km radius of a zero-post school. However, following representations from public representatives and an assessment of ground realities, the state revised its directives via an official letter on May 11, 2026.Bhoyar explained that students in urban areas have multiple educational options nearby. In stark contrast, rural students, especially girls, often have to travel to neighbouring villages just to attend school. He said the govt kept independent criteria for rural areas to stop them from dropping out. To iron out further anomalies, Bhoyar promised to convene a special meeting with teacher MLAs immediately after the current assembly session. The minister said that integrity in recruitment remains a top priority.
