The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to start Tinker Labs, which enable representation of any model in a three-dimensional mode, in 208 computer labs for students from Classes V to VII in civic-run schools. The BMC has allocated ₹1.42 crore to develop students as neoteric innovators and ‘facilitate joyful learning’ at the labs.
In the 2019-20 budget, the Education Department has been allotted ₹2,733.77 crore (₹164 crore more than the previous year) with the BMC pushing for setting up of international schools and overall development of students. In sync with the national spirit of digitalisation, the BMC has registered for affiliation to the Maharashtra International Education Board (MIEB). A total of ₹3.90 crore has been allotted to make BMC schools of international standard by setting up digitalised classrooms, language labs to enhance interpersonal skills, e-libraries and gymnasiums. The department has been allotted ₹24.30 crore to start the tender process to install 6,666 CCTV cameras in BMC-run schools.
Physical, emotional enhancement tools
The budget has made provisions for setting up extra-curricular and mental health enhancement tools. The budget makes provision for setting up seven playgrounds to train students in sports like football, wrestling, judo and table tennis. The civic body has provided ₹1.98 crore to bear the costs of the sports equipment, uniforms, diet, and travel.
A total of ₹85 lakh has been allotted to set up music academies, where students will be trained in classical and contemporary music and dance. The academies will be set up in seven wards and equipped with musical instruments, classrooms and furniture. A provision of ₹12 lakh has been made for organising winter and summer vacation classes such as calligraphy and painting to stimulate the creativity of students.
The BMC has proposed ₹1 crore to be invested through a Private Public Partnership for providing expert guidance and counselling to students. The BMC has also introduced field trips to Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan for underprivileged students and a scheme to transfer funds directly into the bank accounts of students to help them purchase water bottles, lunch boxes and stationery items.
Sainath Durge, Shiv Sena leader and BMC education committee member, said, “I am glad my demand to install CCTVs, made under the guidance of Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray, has been accepted.” However, he did not welcome the move to seek MIEB affiliation for BMC schools. He said, “We are going to oppose the MIEB affiliation till the fees are waived and the details on the syllabus are submitted to the education committee.”
Claiming that the budget had nothing new to offer, NCP leader Rakhi Jadhav, said, “Last year’s educational and infrastructural plans have been forwarded under new names. That is the reason why common citizens are not ready to send their kids to BMC schools.”
Pradnya Bhutkar, Sena corporator from Khar (West), said, “It is a wonderful gesture by the BMC to felicitate 50 teachers on September 5 every year. However, the number should see a gradual rise every year as teachers do incredible work every day to deliver quality education to students.”