The future of hundreds of children studying in unauthorised schools across Mumbai remains uncertain, with many such institutions struggling to meet recognition requirements despite strong demand for English-medium education in low-income neighbourhoods.
Mumbai has identified 164 unauthorised schools, with M-East Ward, covering Govandi, Mankhurd and Trombay, accounting for 64 of them. Around 36 schools in the ward have received closure notices, while FIRs have also been registered against some managements.
Many of these schools operate from compact buildings in densely populated areas, where classrooms are small and infrastructure is limited. School operators say obtaining recognition is particularly difficult in slum areas because of land constraints. Requirements include a minimum 5,000 sq ft plot, a 30-year lease or ownership, an Essentiality Certificate, building and fire clearances, sanitation facilities and a fixed deposit of Rs 21 lakh.
“No one can give you an assurance of even one or two years in a slum, and they want a 30-year lease,” said a teacher at a Baiganwadi school with around 800 students. “We have met the authorities multiple times, and have been given eight months to figure out things,” the teacher said.
For parents, however, the lack of official recognition is often unknown. Around 90% of the 164 schools have “English” in their names, highlighting the demand for English-medium education. In M-East Ward, there is only one English-medium civic school, serving nearly 1,100 students.
Prerna High School in Pereirawadi, Kurla-Sakinaka, faces a similar challenge. After switching from Marathi to English in 2011, it completed infrastructure requirements but remains unrecognised.
“People from humble backgrounds, like domestic workers, aspire to send their kids to an English-medium school because they think it’s a gateway to a better life,” said owner and lawyer Devendra Hande.
Principal secretary (school education) Ranjit Singh Deol said regularisation of 47-48 schools may be considered, while stressing safety concerns. BMC education officer Sujata Khare said around 2,000 students have already been shifted to municipal schools.
A former Govandi teacher said, “We want to be recognised, but norms should be different for slums. The same infrastructure standards for a school in Colaba should not be imposed on Baiganwadi.”
Source: The Times of India
