Stepping into its journey in 1976 with a small school in Borivali East, Mumbai, the Ryan Group has grown into one of India’s leading K–12 education networks, with 137 schools across the country and beyond. As the Group enters its 50th year, it continues to remain at the forefront of transforming the educational landscape. Its institutions, operating under brands such as Ryan International Schools, Ryan Global Schools, Ryan Shalom Montessori, and Ryan International Academy, have evolved into one of India’s most widely recognized and successful school systems.
Ryan Group turns 50 this year. The Golden Jubilee celebrations have already begun. How do you view this important milestone, and what celebrations are planned to commemorate the occasion?
For five decades, our commitment to academic excellence and holistic development has remained unwavering. The Ryan International Children’s Festival reflects our belief in nurturing young people who are confident, creative, and globally connected. By engaging with peers from diverse cultures, our students gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.
We launched our Golden Jubilee celebrations in Mumbai with the 21st Ryan International Children’s Festival, which brought together over 12,000 students from 15 countries for inspiring showcases of talent and cultural exchange. Throughout 2026, we will continue the celebrations with nationwide events, alumni reunions, and community initiatives that honor our legacy while looking ahead to the future.
Apart from running one of India’s largest school chains, what other ventures has the Group diversified into that create meaningful impact?
Beyond our network of 137 K–12 schools serving more than 270,000 students, the Ryan Group has diversified into several impactful initiatives. One notable venture is Ryan Edunation, a managed-school platform established in partnership with Foundation Holdings, which aims to expand access to quality education through an asset-light partnership model.
We are also deeply engaged in social impact initiatives. Through programs such as the Food Bucket Challenge, we have distributed over one million kilograms of food to orphanages across the country. Other initiatives, including toy libraries and career festivals, combine experiential learning with exposure to global opportunities. Together, these efforts strengthen our mission of creating sustainable and meaningful community impact.
Ryan Group remains a fully owned brand. Are there any plans to introduce franchising, pre-schools, or higher education institutions?
Ryan Group remains proudly family-owned, ensuring that our standards, values, and educational philosophy remain consistent across all institutions. At present, we are not exploring franchising models, as maintaining quality and delivering a uniform educational experience remain our highest priorities.
Our focus is on direct expansion, with plans to establish more than 100 new K–12 schools across India and international markets over the next decade. This growth includes four upcoming campuses and strategic collaborations such as RGS Guildford, which is expected to introduce a premium British curriculum school by 2028.
Today, the Group operates more than 150 schools across 40 cities, serving over 250,000 students. Under the leadership of Chairman Dr. A. F. Pinto and Managing Director Dr. Grace Pinto, our priority remains expanding access to world-class school education while preserving the values and standards that define the Ryan Group.
At this stage, we are not making any forward-looking announcements regarding diversification into pre-schools or higher education, as our immediate focus remains on strengthening and expanding our K–12 ecosystem.
Your Group has recently opened a few schools in Karnataka. Could you tell us about the ongoing expansion and future plans?
Bengaluru is a vibrant and rapidly growing city that deserves schools which do more than educate—they must inspire. At Ryan, we believe in providing children with a strong foundation rooted in values while equipping them with the skills and confidence to thrive in the future. These schools are our contribution to the next generation, helping shape responsible and capable citizens.
We have recently broken ground on four new campuses across East, South, Southwest, and West Bengaluru. Each campus will accommodate approximately 2,000 students and span nearly six lakh square feet, featuring state-of-the-art facilities for academics, sports, and holistic development. Having served the city through 10 schools over the last 25 years, this expansion reinforces our commitment to delivering accessible, values-driven education.
Several countries, including Australia, have imposed restrictions on social media use among children. This is also a growing concern among Indian parents. What is the way forward, and has Ryan formulated any policy in this regard?
This is a concern we take very seriously at Ryan Group. Across our schools, we enforce a strict no-phone policy, supported by regular checks and disciplinary measures where necessary. This helps students remain focused on learning while minimizing distractions and potential online risks.
We also actively promote digital wellness through parent awareness workshops, guidance on balanced screen time, and supervised use of technology for educational purposes. Moving forward, addressing this challenge will require close collaboration between schools, parents, policymakers, and technology platforms. Equipping students with responsible digital citizenship skills while ensuring healthy boundaries around technology use is essential for protecting young minds.
Having been closely associated with the education sector for many years, what positive changes have you seen in Indian education, and what challenges still need to be addressed?
It is encouraging to see the significant progress made in Indian education. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has introduced a more holistic 5+3+3+4 learning framework, while digital initiatives such as PM eVidya have expanded access to education and contributed to improved enrollment rates. Programs like NISHTHA teacher training and Atal Tinkering Labs have fostered innovation, creativity, and critical thinking among students nationwide.
At the same time, challenges remain. Bridging the rural digital divide, reducing dependence on rote learning, and aligning vocational education with evolving industry needs continue to require focused attention. At Ryan Group, we are addressing these challenges through technology-enabled learning, future-ready curricula, and inclusive educational programs.
