Mumbai ‘adopted’ municipal school fights odds, sets example

A municipal school in Juhu is surging towards earning the tag of a ‘model school’. Since the last four years, members of Nagrik Satta Ward 63, a citizens association, have taken it upon themselves to adopt and run a municipal school.

In 2007, the civic body had declared 67 educational institutions as municipal schools. “One of these schools was in our area. We were surprised to hear that civic officials had submitted a report stating that only one student was enrolled at the school. Local residents did not seem to care,” said Adolf D’Souza, local corporator and president of the association.

Sensing the widespread apathy, the association adopted the school in 2008, following which 180 students were enrolled. “This number has been increasing every year and now we have around 500 students with almost two divisions for each standard,” said D’Souza, adding the association wants to run the school up to the  Standard X.

In the past few years, association members have come up with various measures to ensure the school is run as per private school standards. “We ensured that the classes be interactive and interesting so that teachers develop a rapport with students,” said Anjali.

Bose, a member of the association who looks after the administrative process of the school. Sports activities and continuous evaluations have only contributed to the school’s performance.

D’Souza said, “We now want to make this school a model school to send out a message to citizens.”