Challenges faced by the low-fee private school owners in complying with the formal regulatory framework : perspectives from a comparative study of two large Indian states

Abstract

This thesis addresses the research gap in the understanding of the regulatory framework governing low-fee private schools in India. While existing literature provides a macro-level analysis of the regulatory structure, there is a lack of micro-level examination of how these regulations specifically affect low-fee private schools and the individuals operating them. This research aims to fill this gap by conducting a comprehensive analysis of the regulatory frameworks in two major Indian states, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Furthermore, interviews with private school owners were conducted to gather insights on the challenges they face in complying with the regulations and to identify areas that require reconsideration. The findings of this study will contribute to recommendations for modifying the regulatory framework to ease the compliance burden on low-fee private schools. By bridging the gap between theory and practice, this research seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory dynamics in the low-fee private school sector in India.

Keywords: Low-fee private (LFP) schools, LFP school owners, Regulatory framework, Regulatory compliance.