Mumbai: BMC’s action taken report on 218 schools lacks action

Some of the schools have been operating without RTE approval since 2016. Representation pic

Following several complaints and repeated reminders for an ‘action taken report' against 218 private primary schools under the jurisdiction of the civic body operating without RTE approval, the BMC's Education Department has finally submitted its report, stating that they have written to these schools from time to time to renew their RTE approvals.

Activists have criticised the state Education Department and BMC for failing to take appropriate action and have alleged the civic Education Department is playing down the matter. The activists have now threatened to move the court against the state Education Department and the BMC.

In response to ward-wise information sought by NGO Maharashtra Rajya Vidyarthi, Palak, Shikshak Mahasangh (Maharashtra State Student-Parent Teacher Federation) through RTI queries in January, the BMC had revealed that 218 private unaided primary schools across the city have failed to get their RTE recognition/approval renewed. The story was first reported by mid-day in its March 16, 2023 edition.

In the action taken report submitted to the director of education (primary) and deputy director of school education (Mumbai), BMC's deputy education officer (private primary schools section) Indrasinh Kadakoti stated: "Recognition, extension of recognition and grant-in-aid to the primary schools (Std. I to IV) run by private institutions in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation area is mandatory. No school will be allowed to be functional without the approval of the state government or local authority. It is mandatory to obtain the approval certificate under RTE. There are 678 recognised private primary unaided schools in the BMC jurisdiction. The 218 schools have not renewed their specimen 2 certificate/ approval. These schools were sent letters by the BMC Education Department from time to time regarding renewal of approval. These schools have all other documents and cannot be termed as unauthorised. Therefore, it would not be appropriate to declare these schools as unauthorised and take action against them."

According to Nitin Dalvi who is representing the NGO, "The Director of Education (Primary) Sharad Gosavi had instructed the deputy director of Mumbai Division to investigate and submit a report in this matter. The deputy director of education had in turn directed the BMC Education Officer to enquire and submit a report. It was also directed to investigate and submit an action taken report regarding criminal action taken against the officials responsible for the negligence. However, BMC Education Department sent a dubious, abstract and meaningless report to cover their negligence and inaction against the 218 schools flouting RTE norms."
Prasad Tulaskar, another activist working with the NGO said that the report says nothing about the action taken by the BMC Education Department against the schools running without RTE approval since 2016. "The civic body has instead informed that letters have been sent to these schools from time to time and also submitted that these schools could not be declared unauthorised. The civic education department's report does not mention if there were any safety inspections conducted in these schools. It has submitted such a report to hide its incompetence and support these 218 private schools as it has failed to implement the RTE Act since 2016," Tulaskar said.

Under RTE, 25 per cent of the total seats are reserved for the socio-economically weaker sections of society. The schools are expected to provide free education to these children and claim reimbursement from central as well as state governments.

Also, the act requires all schools to adhere to 10 infrastructure standards, such as a compound wall, toilets, drinking water, playgrounds, etc. Every three years, the schools must submit application for an extension/renewal of recognition or accreditation. Following the RTE Act's introduction, a school's recognition is only renewed if it has met these 10 standards. Failing to get the renewal, schools could be fined R10,000 per day until they meet the norms and for running the school in the absence of recognition. The management of these schools will also have to pay a penalty of Rs1 lakh. The BMC is the statutory body issuing the recognition certificate for primary schools.

"The BMC and state education departments have failed to implement the RTE Act and schools are openly flouting norms. They will not answer these questions in court. We have already begun the process of filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against the Education Department," Dalvi added.

When contacted, Raju Tadvi, BMC education officer (primary schools), was not available for comment.

25 per cent
Seats reserved for economically weaker sections

Schools on the list

Some of the prominent schools on the list of 218 include

. Anandilal Podar high school (Santacruz)
. Raje Shivaji Primary School (Dadar)
. St Michael's High School (Mahim)
. St Andrew's High School primary section (Bandra)
. St Aloysius' Primary School (Santacruz)
. The Alexandra Girls' English Institution (Fort)
. Gloria Convent High School (Byculla)
. St Pius X High School (Nahur)
. Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Vidyalaya (Borivali)
. Rustomjee Troopers (Dahisar)
. VPM's Vidya Mandir primary school (Dahisar)