Parents sceptical over St Xavier’s Loyola School’s proposal to transition from state board to ICSE

Ahmedabad’s prominent St Xavier’s Loyola School in Naranpura has initiated the process to move away from the Gujarat Board and shift to the ICSE Board, creating a major buzz among parents and the city’s education sector.

The school has issued letters to parents of primary-grade students informing them about the proposed transition and scheduled a parent–teacher meeting on November 18 to seek written consent.

However, as per reports, parents of the young students have opposed the move, fearing a significant fee hike.

Currently, Classes 9 to 12 at the school operate under the government-aided (granted) structure, and if the school fully shifts to ICSE in the coming years, things would change.

Since classes in primary school run as a private school, parents fear that the fees will rise.

The 90-year-old institution, considered one of the top schools in Ahmedabad, has long witnessed heavy demand for admissions.

The sudden decision to migrate to ICSE has triggered discussions, especially in the backdrop of the Fee Regulation Committee’s earlier directive asking the school to refund more than ₹2 crore to parents after finding that fees collected were higher than the approved amount.

While the appeal on that order is still pending, the management has now informed parents that the school will transition to ICSE in phases.

Students currently studying under the Gujarat Board will be allowed to continue, while those wishing to opt for ICSE will be given the choice.

The school has also stated that fees under ICSE will remain as per the norms set by the fee committee. However, it has not yet clarified when ICSE classes will formally begin or how long the Gujarat Board sections will continue.