Mumbai: Despite BMC's decision to put reopening on hold, school in Malvani resumes

Students of Oxford School in regular clothes attend classes on Monday. Pics/Anurag Ahire

The BMC may have put the reopening of schools and colleges in the city on hold, but in Malad's Malvani, the situation is very different. Schools here have resumed to a certain capacity, with stakeholders pointing fingers at each other and claiming it was the parents' demand. The education department, on the other hand, appears to be completely unaware of the situation on the ground.

Considering the financial and academic loss amid the pandemic and with most schools hoping to reopen soon, rules seem to be only for those following them. Just as everything seems to have come back to life in the densely populated area, schools, too, seem to be no exception. Very few parents seem to be against it.

"One of my sons started gambling on the street while the other was just whiling away his time. I am happy that school has started. They will put their time to good use. The government has spoiled this generation by keeping schools closed. There's no issue when people gather for political rallies, but schools are kept closed," shared an agitated parent outside Rozario School. The school took written consent from parents to send their wards.

‘Online teaching difficult'
"We started a week ago because parents started asking why we are shut when other schools are operating in the locality. Even as online teaching continues, we call secondary school students in batches. There is only one student per bench where more than half the class is empty," said Anthony Rozario from the Rozario School's management, adding that all required precautions such as bringing own water bottle and sanitiser, no recess, are taken. He continued, "These children are not learning online, most of them have no access to it. We cannot provide the technology to all but we can help them remain in education by opening classes in batches. Each class is of a maximum of a one-and-a-half-hour. They are not wearing uniforms because most of them have no money to buy them." The principal of the school showed pending fees from many students.

Students of M H High School participated in a drawing competition

One of the parents of a student from the school said, "They specifically asked us to send children in regular clothes. We don't understand why. Schools have not started anywhere but here. We are told that if children don't come to school, they will have to repeat a year." Rozario denied the claims, saying that all children do not come to school anyway and those who have access, are studying online.

However, according to Oxford school, online teaching is not viable. Principal Darshana Godse said, "We have to maintain our Std X pass standard. This is not possible through online learning as access is limited. Many students are seen loitering and playing on the streets if school is closed. This is why Std X students study with us full time while Std IX students come for a few hours and the lower grades get doubts solved."

A student leaves St. Paul's school on Monday

At M H High School, a Std IV student was waiting at the reception allegedly because he was not allowed to appear for the exam over non-payment of fees. The school management denied flouting rules or demanding fees. The school also took to social media, posting photos of students coming back to school after 12 months for a drawing competition. "That was an event organised by an NGO. We thought such activity would motivate students. If we had anything to hide, why would we take it to social media?," Mohsin M H Khan, director and principal of the school said.

Prashant Redij, spokesperson, Mumbai School Principals' Association, said how several requests to allow schools to reopen at least for higher classes have gone unanswered. "This is happening because the government has put schools in a situation where some dare to flout rules. Authorities, too, have conveniently ignored such cases. If action were taken early on, more schools wouldn't have had joined in," Redij said.

BMC Education Officer Mahesh Palmar said, "I have alerted the concerned education inspector regarding a few schools in the western suburbs calling students even as there is no permission yet. I will forward the names of these schools for an enquiry if they are found to be flouting regulations."