The BMC has already received flak for high dropout rate, and for a proposal to give its school buildings to corporates for international curriculum.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is banking on cosmetic changes to counter high dropout rate in civic -run schools. Recently, the BMC administration carried out renovation of its school buildings and tried to give them a new look through various colours.
However, activists as well as parents of students believe that such cosmetic changes will not bring the desired result. They say that the civic administration needs to work on the root cause to stop children from leaving civic schools mid-way.
The BMC has already received flak for high dropout rate, and for a proposal to give its school buildings to corporates for international curriculum.
Despite a number of measures, as claimed by the BMC administration, to counter dropout, the civic schools close due to low attendance, from time to time. Last month, a proposal to close nearly ten civic-run schools, from Marathi to Urdu medium was tabled before the BMC's education committee.
As per the proposal, attendance in some of these schools had reduced to as low as 15 students, and it became practically not viable to run. These students were to be shifted to nearby schools.
In 2018-19, the estimated budget for education is Rs 2569.35 crore and a provision for repairs, upgradation and reconstruction of school buildings is Rs 277.67 crore has been mentioned. BMC spent Rs 96.23 crore on renovation 62 schools building including reconstruction of 4 schools.
Shyam Sonar, national executive member of All India Forum for Right to Education said that there are more than one reasons why civic runs schools are facing high drop out rate. "Access to school, lack of teachers and merging of classes are main reasons for students either stop going to school or shift in private runs schools," said Sonar. He added that there are many BMC schools where there is no provision after class seven. And this condition, students either stopped their education or shift in private school if their parents afford.
Many parents echoed that despite BMC provides good infrastructure, quality education is not given. "Only infrastructure cannot ensure quality education. Teacher's timely training and monitoring is also part of ensuring good education," said Rama Patil, a resident of Govandi.
ABOUT THE CASE
- Despite a number of measures, as claimed by the BMC administration, to counter dropout, the civic schools close due to low attendance, from time to time
- Last month, a proposal to close nearly ten civic-run schools, from Marathi to Urdu medium was tabled before the BMC’s education committee
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