In a move that has sparked significant concern among education advocates, the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC) has shut down approximately 20 schools over the last two years. Activists have strongly condemned this action, warning that it could push numerous students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds into permanently dropping out of the education system.
Closures Hit Marathi and Urdu Medium Institutions Hard
According to data provided by the activists, the number of schools run by the civic body has seen a drastic reduction. The total has fallen from 82 to just 50, with the closures disproportionately affecting Marathi- and Urdu-medium institutions. Educational activist Manish Narawade, speaking on Tuesday, highlighted the contradiction in the civic administration's approach.
"On one hand, the civic administration is actively promoting its newly launched CBSE schools. On the other, it is systematically shutting down Marathi- and Urdu-medium schools. There seems to be little interest from either the administration or the teachers in saving these vital institutions," Narawade stated.
Long Distances and Poverty Compound the Crisis
While civic officials claim to have transferred affected students to other CSMC-run schools, activists point to a critical flaw in this solution. Many of the alternative schools are located far from the students' homes. For parents struggling with poverty, this distance presents an insurmountable barrier.
"Most parents of these children are too poor to afford private schooling," explained Narawade. The fear is that the logistical and financial burden will force many children to abandon their education altogether, leading to a permanent dropout situation.
Allegations of Misuse and Official Justification
Activist Mohsin Ahmed raised further allegations regarding the fate of the now-vacant school buildings. He claimed that these properties are being leased out to private parties, some of whom have even defaulted on their rent payments.
"The civic administration should seriously consider reopening at least some of these schools that were closed in the past two years. This is essential to protect the right to education for children from underprivileged backgrounds," Ahmed urged.
When confronted with these criticisms, a senior official from the civic body's education department defended the closures. The official, who requested anonymity, stated that the action was in strict adherence to government policy.
"As per official guidelines, schools with fewer than 20 enrolled students are expected to be closed down. We are ensuring all affected students are shifted to nearby schools to prevent any academic setback," the official said. Another official confirmed that, for the present, there are no plans to reopen any of the shuttered schools.
The situation in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar underscores a growing tension between policy-based administrative decisions and their real-world impact on access to education for the poorest communities.
