35 municipal schools given liberty to choose edu board

Mumbai: The 35 non-functional Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) schools, which will be privatised in the next academic year, will be given the liberty to choose their boards for the students.

The schools can choose boards such as International Baccala-ureate (IB), International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and State Board.

Till now, all the BMC-run schools are under the State Board as that is the only option these schools are provided by the state government.

“These 35 schools will be managed by private organisations which appointing the teachers in these schools will become their responsibility. So if they want their school to have IB, IGCSE or CBSE, they should bring the teachers accordingly,” said Mahesh Palkar, an education officer of BMC.

Though these schools will have the liberty to amend the rules and regulations in their schools, the principals of the schools will be appointed by the BMC.

The civic body will also have control over the infrastructure of the schools. “Nothing should be changed infrastructure-wise as eventually, it is our (BMC’s) property,” Mr Palkar added.

When asked if the BMC will continue to provide the 27 items to the students that include books, pen, uniform, and raincoats even after privatising the schools, he said, “We shall be giving all the facility to students as they will be still our students. However, the teachers and non-teaching staff will be appointed by the private organisation.”