BMC: 206 schools operating illegally in Mumbai

As per reports, Mumbai’s civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has declared 206 private schools across the city illegal.

Moreover, the BMC has warned parents against enrolling their children in these schools. In a report in Mumbai Mirror, according to the civic body, these schools have not taken the necessary approvals from the authorities concerned. Of these, 162 are english medium schools, 16 Urdu schools, 15 Hindi and 13 Marathi-medium schools.

Meanwhile, these schools reside in the eastern and northern suburbs of the city, while the maximum, 67, are in M East ward (Mankhurd and Govandi) in the city along with Malad, Malwani, Ghatkopar and Bhandup.

The BMC officials moreover in a statement has stated that these schools need to take prior permission from BMC, a step that is mandatory under the Right to Education (RTE) Act. However, none of these schools has applied for approval.

In recent developments, the officials have asserted that a fine of ₹1 lakh will be imposed on these schools and they will have to take a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the government before they are allowed to apply for fresh approval or recognition from the civic body.

On the other hand, earlier on December 29, the BMC had stated that all schools in Maharashtra are to remain closed till January 15, 2021, in order to curb the spread of the coronavirus, as per reports. The BMC back in November decided to keep all schools across the city closed till December 31. However, in the past, the Maharashtra government had allowed Classes 9 to 12 to reopen from November 23.