Mumbai civic school closure fuels parent anger at online learning switch

There is tension in Colaba following the closure of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) municipal school at N A Sawant Marg and shifting students to online education, citing substandard infrastructure. Parents, students, and local leaders protested on Monday, calling for an urgent substitute for on-campus learning.

Both the school buildings have been termed unsafe, as per BMC's School Infrastructure Cell. 1,500 of the 2,800 students are still in online mode, but the others have no facilities for classes. Parents complain the decision is unjust, especially for poor children who do not have proper devices, space, and supervision for online learning.

"This is not possible for our children. How can students from humble backgrounds learn at home in the absence of facilities? Several of them are already losing interest and drifting out," said ex-BJP corporator from Colaba, Makarand Narwekar. He further stated that parents would protest outside the BMC headquarters if the alternative space is not arranged in two days' time.\

Parents were also frustrated with the online learning process. "If two kids from the same family are here in this school, do we need to purchase two smartphones? The timing of classes is informed just an hour in advance. We need to keep children under watch at all times so they study, but when will we be able to work? Now, they want to shift us to GT School, which is in poorer condition and could close down anytime. Exams are near, and our kids are left in the lurch," complained parent Kumar Rathod.

Narwekar has written to Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, seeking prompt action. Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) has also been sought out to investigate the issue.

Terming the BMC's inspection as "unjustified," Narwekar asserted that the school building was repaired two years ago and now only needs some minor work. "Closing a working school will damage the students' future. Officers in air-conditioned rooms need to realize the ground reality," he said.

Another parent, Charan Rathod, claimed that the issue has been hanging fire for two months, with student dropouts resulting from this. "If the problem is not resolved in two days, we shall also join the protest at BMC headquarters," he threatened.

Parents and civic leaders claim the deadlock will continue until the civic body arranges for a secure, functional space for the kids to start in-class studies again.