Statistics available with the BMC, which runs 12,065 primary schools in six mediums (Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Kannada, Telugu and English) in Mumbai, indicate that the number of enrolments has shrunk from over 8.5 lakh in 1996 through 7.4 lakh in 1997 to just 6.6 lakh in 1998.

Placed against a backdrop of related statistics, the reason for the abrupt exodus is clear. While the number of primary schools run by the BMC has remained constant over the last decade, the number of aided and unaided schools run by private trusts has risen dramatically, in fact, doubling in 1997 (see box).

With population figures only swelling, the two lakh drop in civic enrolments indicates that families from the lower income group are increasingly opting to send theirchildren to private schools, both aided and unaided. Though civic primary education is absolutely free, families in this economic bracket find it eminently affordable to pay the meagre fees charged by government-aided schools. The students have to cough up something between Rs 5 to Rs 15 per month.

Besides, with career opportunities directly linked to the quality of school education and the subtle emphasis on social status, lower income families find private schooling a profitable investment.

However, the demographic shift in Mumbai's population, from South Mumbai to the suburbs over the years has contributed - though almost negligibly - to the shrinking numbers attending civic primary schools in the city. However, instead of shutting down schools, the BMC has reduced the number of divisions per school, with some classes including only one section.

Also, despite the number of civic schools remaining constant, the BMC's budgetary provision for primary education has seen a remarkably steep rise,increasing by almost 50 per cent over the last three years. The provision for this year stood at Rs 377.78 crore against Rs 253.60 crore two years ago. The additional funds injected are thus being used to pay teachers' salaries, which have also risen over the years. In fact, 90 per cent of the budget is spent on salaries.

Also, since the number of students is on the decline which has forced a number of divisions to shut down, it also means that teachers in civic schools have a lighter workload. The bottomline, though, is the quality of civic education, which has consistently deteriorated. Infrastructure, including the condition of school buildings and the physical study environment, leaves vast room for improvement, which has also served as a deterrent.

Former mayor and Congress corporator R T Kadam, who says that his numerous queries on the alarming exodus from municipal schools have been ignored by the civic Education Department, insists on some answers. ``While the number of children has dropped, therecords show that the number of teachers and other staff is the same.'' Kadam also wonders why the falling numbers has not led to a corresponding decrease in the budgetary provision for education.

The chairperson of the civic Education Committee, Sadhana Mane, admits that there has been a decline in enrollments. But, she says, while the number of children has gone down in South Mumbai, the response in the suburbs is ``very good''. There is not a single school in the suburbs which is short of students.

Mane, however, agrees that parents are reluctant to send their children to municipal schools unless they have no other choice, adding that the BMC's Education Department is determined to change the image of civic schools.

``But it will a while. I plan to start mid-day meals for the students soon and the BMC will make provisions for this rather than approaching the state government for financial assistance. I am also trying to enforce strict standards of attendance for both children and teachers,'' shetold Express Newsline.

Deputy Mayor Gopal Shetty was a little more candid. ``People are more status-conscious today and hence they do not want to send their children to municipal schools.'' That and of course the quality of education.

Factfile

In 1997, the number of aided schools increased from 609 to 999 while the number of unaided schools rose from 347 to 616. But the number of municipal schools has been more or less the same for the last 10 years. Four years ago, the number dropped by 68 and last year about 10 schools were shut down.