Futures of 900 civic-run school kids must not be jeopardised

Satellite images of the vacant plot after the building was demolished (right) the Gandhigram school building before demolition

Close to 900 students of a Juhu BMC school, opposite the ISKCON temple have been grappling with uncertainty since 2019. They were relocated to new schools several kilometres away, in Vile Parle and Andheri, after the demolition of their school which was dilapidated. Four years on, the BMC is unable to rebuild their demolished school, citing Coastal Regulation Zone norms.

The BMC also introduced a dedicated BEST bus route to assist these kids with transportation. However, some opted to discontinue their education due to the distance from their place of residence.

Some accuse the BMC of delaying repairs and now further delaying reconstruction. Children of domestic help have been pulled out of school, as their parents refuse to send them so far.

Permissions have been got for reconstruction of the old school, and work needs to begin. Even though speed is of the essence, it must also be work of good quality.

Having said that, parents of students of this school, who have been relocated, must make every effort to keep up their education. While one does understand that distances are daunting, may be, something can be worked out so that students are able to reach schools and get on with their studies.

It is easier to pull them out of schools but it is not good, as they need continuity and consistency. Girls, especially, are told to drop out of school as parents are more worried about them travelling daily to school.

Authorities need to start on the school building so that children at least have some time back in their old school, if they have a few years left. Maybe parents or guardians of these children can be contacted somehow through an official or dedicated team and it is stressed upon, that their children keep studying in the interim period.