Civic body to start two night schools from June

NAVI MUMBAI: For the first time in the history of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation ( NMMC), the civic body has decided t o start t wo night schools from June this year.

Those students who left their education after class eight because of various problems and those who failed at class nine will be eligible to for these night classes. The schools are likely to come up at Turbhe village and Katkaripada in Rabale. The final decision on the places will be taken soon, a senior official said.

The education department of NMMC had earlier announced that the application forms for these upcoming night schools were available at 17 civic schools run by them.

“Our main objective is to help those students who could not continue with their education because of various reasons. Many students have to l eave education as t hey are bound to earn to support their families. Such students can join to classes and pursue their dreams of making something big. So by opening these schools, we are promoting the ‘ earn and learn’ principle,” said an official from the education department.

“Initially, we will run two classes — class 9 and 10 — as a pilot project. So those students who studied till class 8 can apply for these classes. The transportation facilities are not good at every part of the city. So, we will also have to ensure that students don’t have to travel much to attend the classes,” he added.

Initially, the night schools will be only for boys and classes will be held for three ( 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm) hours a day. Most of such schools will be opened near the slum areas as number of school dropouts are more in such places.

According to a survey conducted by NMMC last year, there are a total of 1,097 students who left school between class 1 and 8. However, no such survey has been conducted so far to understand the number of students who left school between class 9 and 10.

“Of these 1,097 students, 300 have already been enrolled to different schools. This apart, some non-governmental organisations have also teaching many of these children,” the officer said.

Initially, we will run two classes — class 9 and 10 — as a pilot project. Those students who studied till class 8 can apply for the classes. The transportation facilities are not good in the city. We will have to ensure that students don’t have to travel much for classes. AN NMMC OFFICIAL