The fate of over 900 children hangs in balance as the Mira-Bhayandar civic body fails to begin standard eight classes in municipal schools
Bhayandar : The insensitivity of the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) towards the future of their students stands exposed as the fate of more than 900 students who have passed out from Std VII of municipal schools hangs in balance.
Reason: The Education Wing of the MBMC has once again failed to honour its promise to begin Std. VIII classes from this academic session.
At present, 9,859 students are enrolled with the 35 primary section schools in the twin-city being run by the MBMC imparting education in languages including –Marathi, Urdu, Hindi and Gujarati mediums up to Class VII. After a resolution to this effect was passed in the general body, the MBMC had assured of extending education in civic schools up to VIII standard.
As many as 900 students who successfully passed out from standard VII were apparently told that they need not rush to get a transfer certificate as the MBMC schools were starting Std. VIII this year.
However the education wing once again failed to live up to its promise, leaving the students and their parents in quandary. Launching a scathing attack on the MBMC, NCP leader, Asif Shaikh said, “The insensitivity of the MBMC stands exposed.
Students who pass out from civic schools face difficulties in obtaining admissions for Std VIII in private schools. Many of them who can’t afford expensive fees, private schools are forced to be drop outs.
If MBMC fails to start these classes, where will the students go?” Until recently, the government primary schools were restricted to Std IV and upper primary to Std VII.
But, as per the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, the government is mandated to make free and quality education available to children till the age of 14, which is Std VIII.
“It is true that a new extension policy has been implemented, however due to a pre-condition that there should not be a government or private school within a 500 meter radius of a school that wishes to extend to Std. VIII, we need an official nod.” claimed the civic chief, Suresh Kakani who assured that the MBMC stands committed to ensure that all students get admission to school close to their homes.
Sena helps 35 tribal students
Thanks to the timely intervention of Shiv Sena legislator, Pratap Sarnaik, 35 tribal students from the tribal dominated Chene village, managed to secure admissions in standard VIII of Raja Shivaji School in Ghodbunder village. All these students residing in tribal dominated hamlets in Chene, who had passed out from Std. VII of civic schools were eagerly waiting to continue their studies, but were in for a rude shock when they learnt that the MBMC had backed off from its commitment.“ These students who are from very poor families cannot afford expensive fees in private schools. All of them have been admitted to Raja Shivaji Vidyala and the civic chief has promised to provide them with free books and raincoats.” Sarnaik said.
Suresh Golani
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