There hasn't been much of a positive response to the private-public-partnership (PPP) model proposed for operating civic-run schools in the city.
It was taking into account the deteriorating quality of civic schools in the city, which were being exploited by commercial bodies and certain NGOs, that the BMC standing committee, two years ago, approved a proposal to allow PPP model in running schools. However, the response to the initiative has elicited poor response, primarily because of lack of publicity about the policy.
While civic officials claimed the policy had long ago been advertised on BMC website, most NGOs interested in such projects that dna spoke to, are unaware of it. And, it must be because of this that, in two years, the education department (of civic body) received only 26 applications, from among whom, National Education Society (NES) of Bhandup, was selected.
NES will now develop a new civic school in Parel's Lalbaug area in a vacant 22-storey building that the civic body recently took possession from Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA).
Shambhavi Jogi, BMC education officer, however denied that the response to the PPP programme hadn't been good enough. "The guidelines formulated in the policy are strict enough to see that civic schools do not fall into wrong hands. Taking into consideration all parameters, only one NGO has, so far, qualified."
Vinod Shelar, chairman, BMC education committee, agreed with Jogi. He however admitted that the response hadn't been great. "Education now is mostly a business. Only genuine, hard working and financially-stable NGOs will qualify as per the new PPP model for civic schools. It would require more of giving than taking," said Shelar.
"Most organisations would hesitate after going through the parameters laid down under the policy," added Shelar.
Representatives of several NGOs, however, complained that the steering committee—a 13-member panel involved in the selection process—didn't have people from outside the system. "The steering committee has BMC officials and representatives of NGOs which are already managing BMC schools. Their views could be biased," said an activist.
"In earlier PPP models like school support programme or school excellence programme, benefits such as increase in student enrolment, improvement in quality of education in civic schools, etc were not monitored," the activist added.
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