Principals warn new staffing formula could wipe out classrooms serving Mumbai’s most vulnerable kids
In Mahalaxmi, only eight students attend the neighbourhood Hindi night school — three in Std X, four in Std IX, and one in Std VIII. Representation pic/istock
While sancha manyata or teacher allotment has long been a concern for day schools, the regulation has become especially alarming for Mumbai’s night schools. Already dealing with fluctuating student enrollment, many fear that allotment rules tied strictly to student numbers may leave them without enough teachers to sustain classes.
The principal of a Worli-based night school told mid-day that 64 students are currently enrolled, including 23 in Std X, 21 in Std IX and 20 in Std VIII. Under the previous allotment, the school received approval for three teacher posts, but only two have been filled. In addition, teachers have taken on the extra responsibility of scouting for more students to boost enrolment.
“Often, it’s difficult to update the Aadhaar details of night school students because many are overage. This leads to discrepancies in student counts, and the number of teachers allotted is not proportionate,” the principal said, requesting anonymity. He added that the allotment system fails to consider subject requirements. “Some teachers specialise in science, others in languages. A school needs both.”
In Mahalaxmi, only eight students attend the neighbourhood Hindi night school three in Std X, four in Std IX and one in Std VIII. “We have two teachers who work in both day and night schools, but the new allotment pattern requires a minimum enrollment of 20 students per teacher,” the principal said. Most students come from Byculla and Agripada and juggle significant responsibilities. Some care for ill parents, others support families working as hawkers, while many are simply trying to catch up on lost years of schooling.
“Day schools and night schools cannot be evaluated using the same criteria. Students attending night schools are those who are in greater need of education. Throughout the day, these students endure numerous hardships, compromises, and struggles, and they turn to night schools in search of better opportunities. Such schools should not be shut down merely on the basis of student strength (student ratio); instead, they should be granted special concessions as before, and adequate teaching staff should be appointed,” said Jalinder Devaram Sarode, working president, Shikshak Sena Maharashtra State.
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