The RTI response revealed that year 2018-19 saw the number of illegal schools rise to 62.
Thane is a hotbed of illegal schools, the number of which continues to increase every year, reveals an RTI (Right to Information) query. According to an RTI query filed by activist Sanjiv Datta, there are 62 illegal schools in Thane city which have increased from 55 last year.
The RTI response revealed that year 2018-19 saw the number of illegal schools rise to 62. The number of illegal schools for the financial year 2017-18 was 55, as reported by DNA in April this year. And in 2016-17, there were 39 such schools in Thane.
Of these 62, the maximum increase was seen in English medium schools — 49 schools compared to last year's 38. The number of illegal Hindi medium schools have grown to 10 from last year's eight. On the other hand, the number of illegal Marathi medium schools have declined from seven to three.
Most of these illegal schools are in Mumbra, Kalwa and Diva. There are over 271 civic, government, aided, unaided and private recognised schools in Thane. And 184 are unaided but recognised private schools in Thane.
Datta says that this year on year increase in the number of schools in Thane shows that they are allowed to flourish at the cost of TMC schools. "While these illegal schools have burgeoned to 62, there are only 123 TMC schools in Thane," says he.
He further adds that the population of Thane have increased in the past few years, but the number of school students remains the same. He also says that TMC provides free education, uniform, books, meals and also gets grants from the state as well as the central government. "But this hardly reflects in their growth," he adds.
When contacted Manish Joshi, deputy commissioner- education, TMC confirmed that such schools mushroom in Mumbra, Diva. "People want schools at their doorstep, and are least bothered to know whether it is legal or illegal," says Joshi. Hence, to tackle this issue, the TMC plans to come up with part schools (bhaag shala). "These schools will be affiliated with the nearest TMC school. They will operate from a social hall, auditorium or TMC building. That's how we plan to take TMC education to Thanekar's doorstep," he adds.
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