The Education Committee of the BMC has sought a detailed report from the civic administration on how to increase enrolment in civic-run schools and prevent their closure.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) runs a number of schools in the metropolis.
"I have directed the education officers to conduct a detailed survey on the present scenario of civic-run schools. I was very disappointed when I received a proposal to shutdown 16 schools.
"These schools are very essential for children whose parents can not afford fees of other (private) schools," said Shubhda Gudekar, chairman of the Education Committee.
The panel looks after policy affairs of the education department of the civic body.
"I have asked the administration to submit a detailed report on what is the present situation of civic-run schools and what can be done to prevent the closure of such schools for want of students," she said.
A majority of corporators have opposed the closure of schools, Gudekar said.
She said the report would consist of opinion of public representatives and their views on how street children can be motivated to get enrolled into these schools.
"We are concerned about the dropout rates in the BMC schools. This is why we started plying BEST buses in the vicinity of such schools and this effort has yielded good results," she said.
"After going through the report, to be submitted by May-end, I would personally inspect schools. The decision to shut a school will be taken in rare cases," she said.
Praja Foundation, an NGO, has found that the dropout rate of BMC schools has actually come down.
Milind Mhaske, Project Director, Praja, had said, "Our survey indicates the number of students quitting their education in BMC schools has reduced. This is a good sign.
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