BMC must effect genuine makeover of civic schools

This picture has been used for representational purpose

What's in a name? Apparently, quite a lot, if you go by the BMC's thinking. In a recent move, the civic authorities have decided to refashion municipal schools which will be rebranded as Mumbai Public Schools.

A number of news reports stated that schools under the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) are set to get a facelift along with the rebranding. The BMC has allocated Rs 2,945.78 crore to education in its annual budget. The focus of the civic body is on the overall improvement of the quality of education, which is why the schools under the BMC will be rebranded under its purview.

This may be a good move, but along with refashioning or rebranding or renaming, we must see real improvement in the quality of education and infrastructure in these schools.

While the BMC has stated that they will focus on these, we hope these are not empty words. If one repackages these schools, real development must move concurrently.

Without upgrading infra, improving the inside of the buildings, providing better toilets, adequate ventilation and clean interiors, this refashioning would be a bit like changing the wrapper or packaging of a product, while the product inside remains the same. It is akin to the builders' propensity to rename or refashion certain areas in Mumbai to give them a status. For instance, Lower Parel was rebranded as Upper Worli. Never mind what one called it, in the end, it was Lower Parel.

So, it is important to pay attention to the real aspects that matter and make this rebranding complete, not just an outward, cosmetic one. There is still some stigma associated with the words municipal school, so public school may be a wise way to change that. However, address the real problems, too.