Mumbai: The Maharashtra Assembly on Tuesday passed the Self-Financed Schools (Establishment and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, with the government stating it aims to strengthen regulation, improve infrastructure and expand access to education.

School Education Minister Dada Bhuse said the amendments update provisions dating back to 2000, 2002 and 2012, and formally incorporate the post of commissioner created in 2014. The Bill was cleared by a voice vote.

The legislation allows national-level institutions to set up self-financed schools in the state and enables existing higher secondary schools to introduce classes from 1 to 10, subject to adequate infrastructure such as toilets, laboratories and playgrounds.

Bhuse said penalties for abrupt closure of schools would be doubled to prevent disruption to students. He added that teacher recruitment through the Pavitra Portal ensures transparency, and vacancies would be filled, with retired teachers appointed temporarily if required.

On fees, he said institutions cannot treat education purely as a business and must reinvest funds into development. While there is no direct reservation provision, 25 per cent seats are reserved for economically weaker sections under the Right to Education Act.

Opposition members, including Congress MLA Nitin Raut, criticised the lack of reservation for backward classes, calling it contrary to constitutional principles.