BMC primary schools to have class 5 divisions?

Mumbai: In a bid to reduce the dropout rate and increase enrolment in the civic-run schools, the education department is mulling over to adding Class 5 divisions to primary municipal schools while secondary schools could possibly include Class 8 divisions.

This idea was suggested by the education committee of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to encourage the students to continue in the BMC without taking any intermediate break. There are a total of 1,038 primary schools and 149 secondary BMC schools in Mumbai.

“Students tend to drop out as many primary and secondary schools end at Class 4 and Class 7 respectively. Parents need to enrol their students in other schools if there is no class further, which they tend to avoid, as it is an additional burden for them.

This way, students drop out of the schools, which affects their academic life,” said Shubhada Gudekar, chairperson of BMC education committee.

Ms Gudekar has asked the BMC education department to extend the primary as well as the secondary section from the academic year 2018-19, which will begin from June.

Along with this, several parents of the BMC school students complained to the department about lack of accountability when it comes to providing 27 items such as like bags, books, uniforms, stationery and shoes, which should be given at the beginning of the academic year but is not being done on time. This causes parents to shift the child to privately managed schools.

 “This year, our aim is to bring maximum enrolments,” Mahesh Palkar, the BMC education officer said.

Adding to the existing 27 items, this year, BMC will provide free bus service for transport for all students, gumboots, sports uniforms and healthy nutritional snacks for students.