Students will have transportation and safety challenges in case of changes in timings.
Team Clarion
MUMBAI — The only BMC Yaksar Urdu Medium School in Borivali (West) in the city is grappling with uncertainty over its session timings as the Education Department has requisitioned four out of eight rooms for English medium students. The move could potentially force the Urdu medium middle session school to operate in the afternoon session, posing challenges for students, parents, and staff.
The decision to allocate rooms to English medium students comes against the backdrop of increasing enrolment in English medium education and structural concerns within the school building. A part of the roof has collapsed, prompting the closure of three rooms on the third floor where the English medium school operates. Consequently, the education department seeks to accommodate English medium students in rooms meant for Urdu and Marathi schools.
Residents of areas such as Ganpat Patil Nagar and Shivaji Nagar, who rely on the Urdu medium school, have voiced apprehension over the proposed shift. With inadequate infrastructure and safety concerns in these areas, parents prefer the current middle session timings (10.30 am to 4.30 pm).
Muhammad Farooq Siddiqui’s wife, a resident of Ganpat Nagar, highlighted the challenges of transportation and safety, stating, “Since our area consists of creeks and slums, it is difficult to get around… Also, due to a lack of street lights, it is not appropriate to bring children through this road after dark.”
The potential change in session timings could impose an additional financial burden on families, with increased transportation costs and logistical challenges. Mrs. Siddiqui expressed concern over the impact on the children’s education, stressing the importance of maintaining the middle session timings.
School headmistress Sheikh Samina underscored the difficulties students would face with a shift to two sessions or afternoon sessions. She emphasised the fundamental problems in the students’ localities, which hinder their access to education during the afternoon. Despite efforts to convey parental concerns to the Education Department, responses are pending, leaving the fate of the Urdu medium school hanging in the balance.
Local authorities, including beat officer Smita Kasle and Deputy Education Officer Nisar Khan, acknowledge the issue and assure that a suitable solution will be found soon. Repair works on the damaged rooms are expected to facilitate the return of English medium students to their designated rooms, potentially allowing the Urdu medium school to continue its operations in the middle session.
The situation remains fluid as stakeholders await a definitive resolution from the Education Department, with hopes pinned on a solution that accommodates the needs of all students while ensuring the continuity of education in the Urdu medium school.
