‘Floor lessons’ for 120 BMC students

Mumbai: Around 120 Class 2 students of the Sion Municipal School have been made to sit on the floor in an activity room since nine months due to the lack of a classroom in the school building. The students belong to Mumbai Public School (MPS) venture of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) that was started three years ago to curb the drop out rate of the students.

The school management has requested the civic body to provide more benches as the ration currently is of one bench for three students, which isn’t enough, claimed the school.

When The Asian Age visited the school, it was found that the Class 2 students were sitting on the floor which just had a fabric material laid. “The students have been sitting like this since many months now. We are trying to manage the school and our students with whatever we are having or whatever we are being provided,” said the primary section school principal.

“The school has a good infrastructure but majority of the classes are “reserved” for the secondary medium (class 8 to 10). The school is originally secondary section school, which became MPS three years ago after BMC’s recommendation hence, they (secondary) have additional power,” the source said.

Apart from this, the hall where the students are made to sit is dumped with waste furniture and other wooden materials. Parents claim that it is very unsafe if school does not clears it. “Our children are very small and they usually run around the room during the break time. During this, if any mishap happens who will be responsible,” asked a parent.

Surendra Singh, member of the education committee had raised the issue  before the chairperson Shubadha Gudekar. “I have been asking the committee to find a solution for these children since April, 2017 and no action has been taken yet,” Mr Singh said.

Ms Gudekar has  asked the BMC education officers to provide benches, classrooms and needed facilities within 30 days.