Defunct buildings under SRA to be turned to schools

Mumbai: Some of Slum Rehabilitation Authority’s (SRA) defunct buildings will now be taken over by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to set up schools, says an agreement between the two government entities. BMC’s education committee will set up schools in these structures under the name of ‘Mumbai Public School’, to cater to people below poverty line. Till date, three such defunct SRA structures have been given to the BMC, located at Byculla, Kandivali and Wadala.

Shubhda Gudekar, BMC education committee chairperson, said, “Many SRA structures have been lying without maintenance since 10 to 12 years and hence BMC decided to take it from them after completing all the legalities.”

Mr Gudekar said these schools would have classes starting from junior kindergarten to Class 10.  They will offer instruction in Marathi, English mediums and other vernacular mediums. “By making vernacular mediums available, parents can choose which medium is apt for the child and accordingly choose the school,” Ms Gudekar added.

In the structures taken over by BMC, three schools have already started functioning from academic year 2017-2018. The BMC has sanctioned facilities like sanitary vending machines, auditorium, staff rooms for teachers, virtual classrooms, laboratories, provisions for physically challenged students like ramp etc.

Fifteen more SRA structures are currently under consideration to be converted into schools. The structures will be handed over after meeting with that area’s corporators.