Bengaluru: The BBMP's decision to bring pre-schools, child day care centres and Montessories under the head of commercial activity and asking them to relocate from residential areas to commercial zones has shocked lakhs of families, especially working professionals, besides owners and staff at these centres. They want the BBMP to have a relook at its decision and sought the intervention of the state government.
Sources said that the BBMP decided to act after residents from several areas complained that few corporate chains running their pre-schools and Montessories in residential areas created a nuisance.
But the decision has made the parents angry who are the real stakeholders of these centers. They feel that lakhs of working professionals would be the worst hit. They argue that though some of these schools are being run commercially, they have become a necessity. "No parent will choose a pre-school, Montessori or child care centre located in a commercial area fearing issues like pollution and traffic. Safety of children is paramount to parents. If the BBMP goes ahead with its decision to relocate all child care centres to commercial zones, working professionals will be the worst hit," said Mr Surya Kiran, a software professional.
‘Not commercial activity’
Those who are running these child care centres said that they charge between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000 per child per month. “We can’t charge more and cannot keep more than 9-10 kids. A woman maid is a must. For us it is more like a source of living. Still, the BBMP is harassing everyone,” said Ms Gunamathi, who runs a child care centre in Chandra Layout.
Meanwhile, Indian Montessori Centre, Malleswaram, Federation of Montessori Schools India, Dollars Colony, J.P. Nagar and Karnataka Council of Pre-Schools, 4th T Block, Jayanagar have launched an online petition seeking intervention of the state education department over BBMP's move. These petitioners are trying to create awareness among parents and other stakeholders to force the BBMP to roll back its proposal.
Move in haste?
- According to a DPI estimate, around 4,500 to 5,000 child care centres and pre-schools are operating in residential areas of the city.
- Around 6 lakh children have enrolled at these centres.
- Approximately 7,000 are employed at these centres.
