Ahmedabad: The Gujarat education department has extended the deadline for grant-in-aid secondary and higher secondary schools seeking to expand their classes this year. Schools can now submit their applications online until July 23, instead of the earlier deadline of July 15.The extension applies to proposals for increasing sections or introducing new classes, including sequential or additional divisions in Classes IX and X, first-time sections in Class XI, continuation in Class XII, and expansion of Classes XI and XII streams.The process is being conducted under the supervision of the commissioner of schools. The decision to extend the deadline was taken in the interest of schools that could not complete the application process within the initial time frame.The commissioner’s office has issued instructions to all district education officers,or DEOs, to expedite the verification process. DEOs are required to carry out on-site inspections of the applicant schools as per the prescribed norms and ensure timely evaluation.After completing the verification, DEOs must submit their remarks and recommendations through the online system to the commissioner’s office by July 31. The move is expected to benefit many schools seeking expansion and improve access to secondary and higher secondary education across the state.
