mid-day impact: Education department to probe Malvani schools

Edu deputy director asks local education inspector to probe reopened schools, says it is unfair to others

Schools in Malad’s Malvani area, which resumed taking in-person classes even as permissions have not been given, will face an enquiry by the state education department. The office of the Deputy Director of Education Mumbai took cognisance of mid-day’s February 16 report and the local education inspector would be reviewing the situation and taking action, if required, to ensure fair treatment to students across the city.

While Malvani’s schools justified the partial reopening saying online learning is largely inaccessible and difficult for students, the deputy director’s office pointed out that schools flouting rules is unfair to students of other schools which don’t have access to technology but are following rules.

“The department was not aware of this. The local education inspector will be instructed to conduct an enquiry, review the situation and take requisite action. The BMC has put the reopening of schools on hold and the norms have to be followed,” said Sandip Sangave, deputy director of education. “There are many schools catering to students who are still struggling with online learning. But the BMC regulation is for a reason and if some are flouting it, it is unfair to those who are following it,” Sangave added.

Amid the inaccessibility to technology for online teaching, not only schools, but parents from the area too were onboard with sending kids to school. Many of them gave written consent to their wards’ schools. “The situation is not very different for students of civic schools. Yet they are following the norms and in fact, are taking extra efforts to ensure that children learn,” said a BMC official from the Education Department, adding that the office of the deputy director and other zone officers should keep a vigil.

Urmila Pardhe, education inspector, West zone, which covers Malvani, said, “We will review the situation before taking any action. Civic body’s rules are the same for all but we have to first conduct an enquiry.”

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