70 pc of BMC school children given school items

Mumbai, Aug 7 (UNI) Around 70 per cent of the students studying in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) schools in the city have been given 27 school-related things earmarked for them by the Corporation that include books, school uniforms and other things.

Speaking to reporters here today, Additional Municipal Commissioner Kishore Gajbeye said ''This is the first year hence the delay, but for the next year we will call the tenders in November and distribute the things before schools start.'' Mr Gajbeye said the delay was also because of the time consumed in selecting the design for the school uniform as different uniforms were required for Urdu medium school students and students from other medium and the size also had to be decided upon.

The Corporation has also decided to distribute flavoured milk every day to the students, which was delayed due to tender problems.

The distribution of the things has been done at a cost of Rs 150 crore and the total budget for education in BMC schools is around Rs 1,100 crore this year.

Mr Gajbeye added that the Corporation is fast filling the 672 vacant posts for the teachers in the BMC schools and some of the posts have already been filled.

The English medium schools are facing problems due to shortage of teachers and students, who are reluctant to join the schools.

UNI