Enrolment in BMC schools dropped by 3% in 2015-16

The number of students admitted to Marathi medium schools went down by 38%

Enrolment in schools run by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) continues to drop, with around 13,600 fewer students enrolling in the last academic year, as compared to the year before.

The report says civic schools have steadily losing students since the past five years. (HT File Photo)

According to information acquired by the city-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) Praja Foundation through Right to Information enquiries, around 3.8 lakh students studied in municipal schools in the academic year 2015-16, 3% fewer students compared to the 4 lakh who enrolled in 2014-15. However, the English and Hindi medium schools run by the BMC are exceptions to this trend, with enrolment increasing by 7% and 3% .

The report says schools have steadily losing students since the past five years, with Marathi medium schools witnessing one of the sharpest declines in enrolments. Between 2011-12 and 2015-16, overall enrolments decreased by around 56,000 students - a 13% drop.

However, the number of students admitted to Marathi medium schools went down by 38% during the same period.

“We need to empower and strengthen school management committees to improve accountability at the school level,” said Nitai Mehta, founder, Praja Foundation.

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