BMC Launches Its First 'Night Reading Hall' In Andheri

In a first of its kind, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)'s education department has launched a night reading hall/classroom for the students of Classes 9 and 10 at Nityanand Marg, Mumbai Public School in Koldongari (Sahar Marg) area, Andheri East.

The project is an effort to improve the quality of education especially among slum and underprivileged children.

This step comes after Mumbai Suburban Guardian Minister, Mangal Prabhat Lodha instructed BMC to start a Night Study Classroom Project. This initiative is a part of the Pandit Din Dayal Upadhyay Scheme. It was inaugurated by Lodha on Friday, September 8.

After the inauguration, Minister Lodha said that many students in Mumbai city do not have a place to study, necessary facilities are not available, hence even if they want Barriers are created for their students to study and progress. This will help night scholars and would raise the progress graph of many promising students.

Besides, in this significant year, which marks the 350th year of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's coronation, there will be 350 night reading halls in BMC schools soon across the city, he added. 

He credited Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar for their vital support in realising this project's vision.  

The night reading halls will have separate rooms for boys and girls. Currently, the night study will continue for two hours, and it will be extended based on demand from children and parents.

Students from all private and civic-run schools will also be admitted to the reading hall after checking their school identity cards and Aadhaar cards. Parents who want to admit their child should communicate with the principal of the nearest BMC school, the education department explained.

In BMC school buildings, separate classrooms on the ground floor will be designated for male and female students during the evening hours. Parents will be required to submit a consent letter along with student details to avail the Night Study Classroom benefits. 

The implementation of this program is slated to reach every BMC school, benefiting approximately 4 lakh students.

Notable dignitaries, including MLA Parag Alavni, former Corporator Abhijit Sawant, BMC officials, and other key figures in the education sector were present at the inauguration ceremony.