Mumbai: As the Cockroach Janta Party continued it School Thik karo campaign and visited the school in Mumbai was met with resistance, the members of CJP and AISF questioned the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for restricting the entry.
AISF Claims School Authorities Refused Entry To Delegation
(AISF) Mumbai alleged that its members were denied entry to a Mumbai Public School in Parel while attempting to conduct a social audit of the school’s infrastructure and facilities.
According to AISF, the delegation was denied entry despite approaching the gatekeeper and school authorities. The organisation alleged that the school gate was shut and its members were subsequently asked to leave. The students then sat peacefully outside the school and sought a meeting with the principal, but alleged that the school administration called the police instead of engaging with them.
The CJP has issued a written notice citing constitutional and legal provisions, demanding that citizens and students be allowed to raise concerns regarding the condition and functioning of public schools.
Social Audit Campaign Focuses On School Infrastructure And Facilities
As part of its campaign, Mumbai members visited three Mumbai Public Schools on Thursday to examine infrastructure, hygiene, safety and other basic facilities. On Friday, an AISF delegation visited the Mumbai Public School at the Parel Municipal School Building to conduct a social audit and seek a meeting with the principal.
In the notice submitted by CJP to the authorities, cited Article 21A of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to free and compulsory education for children between six and 14 years, along with provisions of the Right to Education Act, 2009. It also referred to the Right to Information Act and provisions relating to citizen participation and accountability.
The organisation argued that municipal schools, being publicly funded institutions, cannot remain beyond public scrutiny. It said the purpose of the social audit was not to disrupt academic activities but to document and highlight practical problems such as water, toilets, cleanliness and other basic facilities and seek their resolution through dialogue with the administration and education department.
AISF Questions Police Involvement During Student Group Visit
Condemning the alleged denial of access, AISF questioned why students and citizens seeking information about the condition of a public school were treated as a security concern. The organisation said it would meet the concerned BMC Assistant Commissioner on Saturday to seek permission for a public social audit.
“Public schools belong to the public and public education needs public accountability,” the organisation said, adding that it would continue to demand safe, hygienic and adequately equipped schools and a transparent mechanism through which students, parents and citizens can raise concerns.
The CJP will be collectively submitting the letters to the civic body to intimate them about the social audit and would continue the campaign from next week.
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