BMC prepares hi-tech plan for civic schools

After receiving flak for handing over defunct civic schools to private NGOs, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) administration has now prepared a master plan for a complete revamp of its schools in the city. Around 25 new initiatives, such as after-class tutorials for students of classes 9 and 10, introduction of the House Colour system to encourage sports, and the introduction of Mathematics Olympiads to remove the fear of maths, have been proposed in the master plan. The civic chief has already given his consent to some of these initiatives.

The civic administration has also proposed to make functioning of civic schools hi-tech. "We have planned to develop an app with the help of NGOs to keep parents updated about day-to-day functioning of schools," said a civic official.

Soon, the civic body will select teachers with expertise in their subjects for tutorials.

"We will identify places for the tutorials, where selected specialist teachers for English, Mathematics and Science will give additional classes to class 9 and 10 students,"said the official.

The civic body is also planning to introduce the 'House System' in civic schools with colour codes, to encourage sports among students. There will be four different colours for four houses, and uniforms will be provided to students accordingly.

In the master plan, the civic body has also proposed to start an e-classroom. "One digital classroom will be made available in each of the 1,200 civic runs schools," said the official. He added that the e-learning method will help students grasp subjects easily.

The civic administration has also proposed a total of 25 international schools in the city. "In order to match the quality of education of civic schools to international standards, we have proposed to enhance education standards of 25 civic schools in the city by introducing international curriculum at 25 selected civic schools," said an official from the BMC's education department.

In order to remove the fear of science and mathematics, the civic administration has also planned conducting a Mathematics Olympiad for students from classes 3 to 8. "This will also help students prepare for such tests held in state and national level," added the official.

OTHER INITIATIVES

• Civic schools that closed during 2016-17 to be developed as Mumbai Public School under CSR
   
• Teachers of Semi English medium schools will be trained to teach all subjects in English medium
   
• To start 250 new Balwadis under CSR
   
• Commercial Training for class 9 and 10 students. Around 29000 students will benefit
   
• Schools having less than 20 students will be clubbed with nearby schools
   
• E-learning. Digital classrooms will be developed
   
• Scholarship examination similar to Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)
   
• Special Scholarship for physically challenged students
   
• Regular heath check camp for students
   
• To develop dinning space for midday meal (depend on availability of space)