Daybreak Private equity-led Indian schools are losing teachers and students. What’s the lesson here?
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Sep 16, 2025 Private equity is transforming Indian schools, but the changes are causing concerns. With a focus on cost-cutting, many institutions are facing teacher turnover and declining student numbers. The discussion highlights how the shift from founder-led management to a standardized model is impacting the educational quality and culture. As global operators take over, the promise of better resources is overshadowed by lean budgets and shrinking salaries, leading to a crisis in both teaching staff and student engagement.
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Glendale's Post-Acquisition Decline
- Glendale Academy saw teaching quality fall after acquisition, with a student teaching herself economics via YouTube.
- The school cut 20% of staff and saw student strength fall by 20% post-acquisition.
Western PE Playbook Meets Indian Schools
- Private equity has mirrored a Western playbook: cost control, standardization and centralization.
- This strategy clashes with India's volatile, founder-led school market and changing demand.
Policy Shift Fueling International School Demand
- NEP changes relaxed foreign investment rules, accelerating global operators' acquisitions.
- International curricula like IB and Cambridge allow wider fee latitude and margin opportunities for buyers.