Daybreak When private equity acquires schools, the price may be quality education
Dec 29, 2025
Private equity is changing the landscape of Indian schools, sparking debates about education quality. The promise of better infrastructure often leads to budget cuts and high staff turnover. As schools go corporate, the founder-led ethos weakens, impacting trust and culture. International curricula draw significant investment, but the focus on cost-cutting can threaten academic standards. Examples of both decline and success illustrate the complex dynamics at play in this evolving educational sector.
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Glendale's Post‑Acquisition Decline
- Glendale Academy students reported teachers barely explained lessons and many learned from YouTube instead.
- Staff cuts, trimmed budgets and cancelled traditions followed after GSF (backed by Apollo) acquired the school.
NEP Opened The Floodgates
- The NEP's relaxed foreign-investment rules unlocked rapid capital inflows into Indian schools since 2021.
- Global operators like GSF and ISP now plan large deployments and multiple chain acquisitions across India.
Why International Boards Attract Investors
- International curricula (IB, Cambridge) allow wider fee latitude and development charges that support upgrades and margins.
- That structure helps foreign-backed groups earn returns despite India's not‑for‑profit school rules.