Amidst lockdown till June end no instruction to BMC school teachers to report work on June 15

Directorate of Primary Education has forgotten to issue circular or order for reopening of schools this academic year. Teachers from BMC schools are left in lurch as authorities are not providing bus services to reach schools. Teachers are hiring private vehicles to reach to Mumbai from their native places, just to save their jobs.

Mumbai: The 10, 337 teachers of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) schools across Mumbai are in a state of confusion as the state government has not updated on its earlier order of lockdown till June 30. According to the state government order all the schools and colleges whether aided or non-aided across Maharashtra to remain shut till June 30. The state Education department has not issued any order or circular about schools reopening on June 15. Moreover, the unlock1.0 there is no mention of reopening of BMC schools.

Every year, the academic year in all the government schools begins from June 15. Apprehensive of losing their jobs nearly 10,337 teachers of BMC schools are desperate to report to work in their respective schools on Monday. Neither BMC nor the government has arranged for any transportation for the teachers so that they remain present on June 15.  

According to the union of BMC Teacher’s Association the Education authorities had demanded 600 buses from the state transport department and BEST as well however they had refused citing staff crunch.

Add to this chaos the absence of any amended circular for BMC school teachers, the Education Officer of BMC has written to the Directorate of Primary Education on June 13 seeking clear instructions on the movement of teachers during lockdown.

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BMC Education Officer Mahesh Palkar has written to the Director of Education, Directorate of Primary Education that according to the government rule the all the schools and colleges  either government (aided or non-aided) or private will remain closed. Later an amended order was issued on June 9 by the BMC which stated that educational institutions are open for “non-teaching purposes including development of e-content, evaluation of answer sheets and declaration of results” .

K P Naik the Union President of BMC’s Teacher Association said , “There is no instruction for teachers to come on June 15 however they have been asked to come by the Education Officer on June 15. He also tried to arrange bus transportation for them however none agreed as there is no order by the government or corporation. The teachers during lockdown had reached their native places and now they have to manage to come on Monday else they will lose monthly salary. Also that the education department was planning for online learning from June 16 , thus why are they calling teachers for one day and violating the Disaster Management Act.”

Jaywant Dalvi (name changed on request) BMC school teacher said, “There is no clarity from the state government or central government on opening of schools. On debate shows the education minister says that the schools will open in chain. However, we have to resume tomorrow, if not then the salary will be deducted. They have not arranged any transportation in lockdown I am coming with few teachers by taking private vehicle despite knowing its clear violation of earlier order.”