Where will our kids study now, BBMP?

The BBMP’s decision to evict commercial establishments from residential areas arose from public pressure. However, much to the horror of parents, pre-schools have made it to the list of banned establishments too! Experts say there was no reason for this to have happened, save for the ignorance of BBMP officials. The move has resulted in upheaval with parents worrying about the safety of their toddlers, reports Shrinivasa M.

The BBMP's much-lauded decision to shut down all commercial establishments from shops to pre- schools located in the residential areas has now resulted in controversy. Despite the fact that residents are largely in favour of the move, a small group of people are opposing it on the claim that it will create problems.

It began when the BBMP announced the eviction of commercial establishments operating in residential areas, which itself was the result of pressure from various civic groups. One of their demands was that zoning regulation rules do not permit commercial activities in residential localities. The BBMP, by issuing trade licenses in residential areas without discrimination, caused utter havoc. The Palike, on its part, has already started working on cleaning up the mess through its local officials.

That’s when the problem began. Also included on the list of banned commercial establishments are pre-schools. The BBMP’s diktat, which requires pre-schools to move out of residential areas has left parents confused and hassled. Pollution and issues related to child-safety are the main reasons behind their reluctance to let pre-schools be put on the BBMP’s eviction list. However, the corporation is unwilling to change its stand.

According to BBMP officials, their decision to evict pre-schools from residential areas is in keeping with zoning regulations. Although pre-schools fall under the ambit of the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), department officials were not taken into confidence while notices were being issued, for no cognizance was taken of the impact of shifting pre schools from existing areas to commercial zones. The unilateral nature of the BBMP’s move has resulted in a good deal of ire.

Clueless parents: It is the parents who are now paying a huge price for the confusion. School owners are trying their hardest to find a solution to the problem by knocking the doors of the DPI, with several institutes asking parents to join them in the battle as well. A few schools even want to revise their monthly fee saying shifting the school is a huge task.

The issue spiralled and has now reached the state government, which is expected to take the final decision soon. "We have received a few representations in this regard. All these were forwarded to the state urban development department which is expected to consider the issue," said an officer from the state education department.

‘Notice against pre-schools issued without any rationale’
Pre-schools in the city have launched an online petition against the BBMP’s decision to include them on the list of banned commercial activities in residential areas. The petition, titled Are you OK with your Child being sent to a Commercial Zone, daily?’ has been run alongside lobbying at the ground level. They are attempting to engage the state education department as well, hoping they will issue directions instructing the BBMP to de-classify pre-schools from the list of commercial establishments.

Officials and experts alike are of the opinion that the BBMP’s decision is a eye-opener for all school managements. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, several officials from both BBMP and DPI said the public perception is that pre-schools are now little more than cash cows. “There is no any yard stick to fix fees. Childcare centres, daycare centres and pre-schools are set up not with the motto of service. Only a handful of the ones located in residential areas actually offer good service. All the others have made the industry completely driven by commerce. Now, the poor kids and their helpless parents are being used as shields,” explained an officer who wished to remain anonymous.

Civic amnesties:  An officer from BBMP said that the master plan for every layout makes Civic Amnesties (CA) sites mandatory. These include schools, gardens, parks and other utilities. “Schools fall under the utility services category. The problem is that in most residential areas houses are used to set up pre schools and child care centres without following any guidelines. Parents too want these centres close to their houses but there are complaints about how schools in residential areas cause a nuisance for the neighbours. Even so, schools fall under the utility services category and this notification has been issued without any rationale,’ he added.

• According to the  DPI estimates, some 5,000 childcare centers and pre-schools are operating in the residential areas of the city.
• Around 6 lakh children are enrolled in these centers.
• Employee strength: approximately 7,000.

BBMP officials haven’t understood the laws: Vijayan Menon, Member of Citizens Action Forum(CAF) and Koramangala Initiative(KI)
The confusion caused by notices sent to pre-schools in residential areas is, I think, the result of a misunderstanding regarding zoning regulations at the lower levels of the BBMP’s bureaucracy. As per the zoning regulations, all establishments can co-exist in the city as long as the stipulated conditions are met. The problem lies in the fact that most commercial establishments have been set up with very little regard for existing regulations.

When we met the BBMP commissioner to discuss commercialisation of the residential areas, pre-schools never entered the picture. Lower cadre officials, however, who haven’t quite grasped the zoning regulations, have initiated action against them. These conditions include factors like the width of the road, for instance. If master plan guidelines have been followed properly, the problem of having to shift may not arise at all. As schools are an essential part of our lives, they are included in the plans of any residential layout.

As per the zoning laws, in a city like Bengaluru, different kinds of establishments can exist side by side. There are enough laws supporting this and implementing them is our only challenge.