NGO exposes widespread violations in Mumbai schools

261 non-state board and 415 private schools were found to be in violation. Representation Pic

An NGO's RTI inquiry exposed that 261 non-state board schools in the city and 415 private unaided primary schools under the BMC Education Department have breached the Maharashtra Employees of Private Schools Staff, (MEPS), Rules, 1981, and the BMC grant-in-aid code. They failed to secure or apply for individual recognition/approval for their teaching (principals and teachers) and non-teaching staff.

Following a complaint, the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) has written to the deputy director of education in Mumbai seeking action. The complainant, Nitin Dalvi, President of the NGO Maharashtra Rajya Vidyarthi, Palak, Shikshak Mahasangh, asserts that the MEPS Rules, 1981, apply to non-state board schools. In the case of private unaided primary schools, the BMC grant-in-aid code is deemed applicable.

As per both rules MEPS and BMC grant in aid code, the school management must apply and seek individual approvals for the post of teachers, headmasters/ principals. Talking to mid-day Dalvi said, " As I received the two RTI replies, for non-state board schools and another for private unaided primary schools, it revealed a shocking pattern of appointment of teachers and principals without taking individual approvals."

"The standard of education is deteriorating due to this arbitrary management of the school administration and the matter has been taken very lightly by authorities such as officials of the state education department, BMC education department, State Consumer Protection Commission, and even Mumbai Police, etc despite sending complaint letters and filing official complaints," Dalvi added.

Dalvi further said, "Following the RTI response, we approached various authorities, but only the MSCPCR has acknowledged the matter. They have issued a notice to the deputy director of education, Mumbai, requesting an action taken report for the 261 non-state board schools (ICSE, CBSE, and IB schools). Additionally, we have informed the MSCPCR about the recent RTI findings concerning 415 unaided private primary schools," stated Dalvi.

Dalvi also expressed concerns about the compromised education quality resulting from the neglect of this inspection process. He questioned the competence of teachers in these schools and voiced apprehensions about the bleak future of the students attending them. Prasad Tulaskar member of Maharashtra Rajya Vidyarthi, Palak, Shikshak Mahasangh further emphasised the need for accreditation checks on teachers by the school management, "This accreditation/ approval ensures adherence to educational qualifications as per regulations."

According to municipal regulations, teachers and non-teaching staff with personal recognition are entitled to receive salaries equivalent to those in aided primary schools, along with provident fund benefits and generous leave. However, Dalvi pointed out that these facilities are not extended to teachers in private schools, leading them to seek personal approval to address their compensation concerns.

In response to the allegations made by education activists, Raju Tadvi, Education Officer of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said, "The grant-in-aid code doesn't individually recognise staff in private primary schools." He clarified that personal information is included in initial approval and renewal proposals for unaided schools, and recognition letters are issued after verifying staff qualifications, serving as a form of individual recognition for teachers.

676
No of schools that flouted staff approval rules