Remember we NEVER stop hoping!

"Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life's deepest joy: true fulfillment." --Tony Robbins

In my experience -Whenever we identify a problem, it is in the larger interests to review the same from all possible angles before working out the necessary solution.

Based on the periodical feedback received from many of our CACR volunteers, while visiting neighborhood municipal schools, we have been interacting with the hierarchy of the BMC Education Department and expressing our concerns and suggesting solutions to them.
        CACR members have been meeting the Administrative Officers(Schools), the Deputy Education Officers of the zones, the Superintendents, the Education Officer, the Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Education ) as well as the Additional Municipal Commissioner (City and Education).

 BUT  The one link missing in this chain was the Labour Unions and it was extremely shocking to know that there are almost 38 Unions registered with the Municipal Corporation as on date, with about 7 of them handling the teachers and administrative staff of the Education Department.

It has been observed that many administrative staff and teachers do not follow or fear the authorities since they get a back up support from their respective unions.(Ya, Unions can be powerful)

The questions to be asked are:-

1. Are these unions really concerned about the fact that the budgets and expenditure is increasing and the number of children in these schools is dwindling?

2. Are the children enrolled in municipal schools getting quality education, good enough to compare with the private and aided schools?

3. With the 25% reservation clause for children belonging to the Economically Weaker Sections, in private and aided schools, there will be a further reduction in enrollments in municipal schools. What are these unions doing to counter this challenge?

4. The authorities feel that there can be better accountability and functioning of these schools if they get into Public Private Partnerships with various NGOs. Incase this is implemented, the BMC employed well paid and well qualified teachers will have nothing to do, and the NGOs will not be able to provide the same job security, salaries, perks and benefits, etc as the municipal corporation does.

5. What steps are the Unions taking to ensure improved accountability of the teachers and administrative staff and ensure that these schools do not shut down?

6. Are these Unions ever concerned about the rights of children and do they have any point in their agenda which talks about the welfare of the children going to these municipal schools?

Armed with all these questions in my mind...I will pay a visit to the Union offices in the coming days...to get their side of the story and Can we put together and find a solution?

Perhaps YES! ...Remember we NEVER stop hoping! 

Nitin_CACR