The state government has ordered a complete administrative takeover of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Higher Secondary School in Ahmedabad’s Maninagar area after an inquiry revealed serious violations of education laws, safety norms and affiliation rules.
The decision was taken on Monday following a fatal incident in which a Class 8 student allegedly stabbed a Class 10 student. The incident led to multiple complaints and demands for strict action against the school management. Acting on a recommendation from the education directorate, the government approved a conditional takeover, also barring the institution from admitting new students.
What the takeover covers
The order applies to the entire campus, including the ICSE-affiliated primary, secondary and higher secondary sections (Classes 1 to 12), the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB)-recognised Classes 11 and 12 (science stream), and the private primary section.
The District Education Officer (DEO), Ahmedabad city, has been appointed as administrator to manage the school’s daily functioning. Officials said the move is aimed at protecting the interests of more than 10,000 students studying at the institution.
Probe uncovers serious irregularities
After the stabbing incident, the GSHSEB and the Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) directed the DEO to conduct a detailed inquiry. A committee inspected the campus and submitted its report on October 18, 2025, highlighting multiple violations.
The inquiry found that additional classes were started without prior approval from the competent authorities. It also noted that while the school was running ICSE-affiliated Classes 1 to 12 alongside GSHSEB-recognised Classes 11 and 12 (science stream), the existence of the ICSE school was not disclosed in the affidavit submitted for GSHSEB approval, amounting to suppression of facts.
The report raised questions over who actually manages the school, with different documents naming different trusts or societies. This was found to be in violation of CISCE norms, which require an institution to be run by a single registered non-profit body.
The land for the school was leased by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation to “The India Financial Association of Seventh-day Adventists” for educational use. However, the inquiry found that the campus was allegedly being run by another entity, in violation of the 99-year lease agreement.
Inspectors also flagged building-related violations. Approved plans showed only two buildings, while three structures currently exist on the campus. Building Use permission was available only for one block, with the remaining buildings lacking approval. The report further alleged profiteering through the sale of books on campus, prohibited under the Gujarat Self-Financed Schools (Fee Regulation) Act, 2017.
The school was also found to be operating in two shifts without mandatory permission, separate staff or separate records. The inquiry accused the management of submitting false affidavits and documents to obtain approvals, undermining the trust of parents and regulatory authorities.
In addition, MBA and Bachelor of Science and Arts colleges were found to be functioning on the same campus without the required No Objection Certificate from the GSHSEB.
Final approval
Based on the DEO’s findings, the DPE concluded that the institution had violated several core regulations and recommended a government takeover. The proposal was placed before the state government by the GSHSEB on November 6, 2025, and approved soon after. The Board issued the final takeover order on December 15, 2025. Further guidelines on implementing the takeover are expected from the DPE and the GSHSEB.