India, April 5 -- The Maharashtra school education department has declared 324 secondary schools and 412 junior college divisions "permanently ineligible" for government salary grants after they failed to meet the eligibility criteria "despite being given multiple opportunities and extensions" over the years.

The decision is expected to have a major impact on the affected schools and their staff, especially in urban areas, with industry experts raising concerns about the future of the institutions and their students.

According to a Government Resolution (GR) issued on April 2, the concerned schools were operating on a permanently non-aided basis. They were expected to qualify for grants by meeting conditions such as maintaining proper s...