Outrage in Mumbai as BMC shuts municipal school over safety concerns, forcing students online

Protests erupted in Colaba, Mumbai on Aug 11 after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) shut down its municipal school on N A Sawant Marg and moved most students to online classes, citing safety hazards in the buildings.

Parents, local leaders, and students gathered to demand that the civic body arrange an immediate alternative for in-person lessons.

Officials from BMC’s School Infrastructure Cell say both buildings have been deemed unsafe.

Out of 2,800 enrolled students, around 1,500 have been shifted to virtual mode, while the rest have no current arrangements for classes.

Families argue the sudden switch to online learning is unworkable for many, especially in low-income households where access to devices, quiet study spaces, and supervision is limited.

“This is not feasible for our children. How can students from modest backgrounds study at home without proper facilities? Many are already losing interest and dropping out,” said former BJP corporator from Colaba, Makarand Narwekar.

He warned that parents would march to the BMC headquarters within two days if no alternative premises were provided.

Some parents say the online classes are poorly organized and impractical.

“If two children in the same family are in this school, are we expected to buy two smartphones? The class schedule is shared barely an hour in advance. We have to monitor children constantly to ensure they are studying, but when will we work? Now, they want to move us to GT School, which is in worse condition and might shut down soon. Exams are approaching, and our children are left in the lurch,” said Kumar Rathod, a parent.

Narwekar has raised the matter with Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani and urged the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) to intervene.

He deemed the BMC's safety assessment as "unjustified," asserting that the building underwent minor repairs two years ago.

“Shutting down a functional school will harm the students’ future. Officers sitting in air-conditioned offices need to understand the ground reality,” he said.

Another parent, Charan Rathod, alleged that the matter had been dragging on for two months, causing some children to drop out.

“If this issue isn’t resolved in two days, we will join the protest at BMC headquarters,” he warned.

Community leaders and parents say they will continue their agitation until the civic body provides a safe, permanent facility for the children to return to physical classrooms.