Won't close pubs, but BBMP goes after 'residential' playschools

Bengalureans occasionally demand that residential and commerical areas within the city be neatly delineated. Over the recent years, the explosion of commercial properties inside residential areas has intensified these protests. 

However, the latest decision of the BBMP will be a shock to even the strongest of these protestors.

Terming playschools as 'commercial', the BBMP had recently sent notices to various playschools across the city, asking them to vacate the premises as they were operating in residential areas.

According to the rule book, schools operating in residential areas are against civic amenities (CA) rules. 

"Under the CA rules, in residential areas, the schools can operate only if they have necessary permissions.  And they need to have space, play area and it shouldn't be an issue for neighbours. But the playschools come up in houses that have been converted into schools," said a BBMP official from the BBMP Health Department, the authority that issues trade and commercial licenses.

Parents, who have young children admitted to these various play schools, have questioned the logic behind the decision, calling the BBMP's decision stupid and unwanted.

Although the BBMP tried to resort to arm-twisting methods to shift these playschools or regularise them by charging hefty fees, the uproar in the BBMP monthly council and sharp criticism from all sides forced the BBMP to defer its decision temporarily. 

Indeed, local corporators are wary of triggering intense agitations by parents, as they are the first to be get affected should such a protest begin.

According to the Education Department, there are 5,000 playschools in the City and over 80 percent are in residential areas. 

 

The parents send their tiny tots to such playschools as they are usually in proximity to their homes, thus making drops and pick ups easy and safe.  

 

"The BBMP's decision to move out playschools will create chaos. Working parents will go mad if any such move is taken. Child safety will also be at stake as many parents cannot send their kids to reputed schools that have pre-school facilities. Instead of asking the schools to vacate, the BBMP should ask the pub and hotel mafia to move out from residential areas," said Vasudev, a CV Raman Nagar resident.

 

Imran Ullah, a techie from Anandnagar, says that ever since he heard the news, he has lost sleep.

 

"For working parents, this decision will be like a death blow. Where do we take our children if the playschool is closed? The school is just 1000 meters away. To admit the child in new school in another area is risky. The BBMP should have thought twice before sending such sad news," he said.

 

For their part, schools say that they are giving kids an education and help the child to learn better, and not there only to make money.

"The BBMP has no guts to vacate liquor or any hotel from residential areas and they want to threaten schools. If at all the schools are closed where will the children go to learn? Has the BBMP got any other arrangements to ensure safe relocation of about 3 lakh children," questioned Sarala Tony, Head Misters, Mother Mary Playschool, Indiranagar 1 stage.

 

Regretting electing corporators and MLAs who cannot even come and speak in this regard, Syed, Khaja Hussain, MD of New Light International Montessori School, RT Nagar says,"The parents send their kids to playschools in residential areas as it is very safe for their children.  The BBMP has definitely lost its mind in when it comes to administration," he said.

Florence Kindergarten School at Ganganagar in Hebbal, where over 50 children are learning, was shocked by the news.

 

"We have up to class X, but due to space constraints, we have taken a house and converted it into a playschool. This place is safe, and the neighbours are also cooperating. The BBMP is at fault. They should not have allowed many school to come up in one area. And asking the schools to shut suddenly will only jeopardise children's futures," said, Sheila, In-charge of the school.  

 

Employment at stake:

 

Apart from playing with the future of children, the BBMP will also knock off employment opportunities for many youngsters.

 

"We have four staff members who look after the children here. Friendly good teachers, who have studied up to class X and PUC, are given an opportunity to teach and help children. If playschools are closed, the people will have to beg in the streets," said Ayesha, In-charge, Bright Kids Montessori, Manorayanapalaya. 

 

Srinivas, a security guard at  Florence Kindergarten School, says the school gives him his daily bread and if such schools get closed, people like him will be on streets and BBMP will be responsible for that.

 

As the criticisms snowballed into a controversy, the BBMP has carefully has deferred its decision for now and says a committee will be formed to study the pros and cons of the decision - before making it a rule. 

 

Bengaluru Watch are a series of stories by Asianet Newsable, telling you the stories from Bengaluru you need to know - the true face of the city.

 

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