Says that the BMC spends more than INR 1,08,000 per municipal student with nothing to show for it, Demands major reforms in education policy across all levels of governance
The Aam Aadmi Party Mumbai today, welcomed Maharashtra Minister of State & NCP Leader Shri Sanjay Bansode’s decision to replicate Delhi’s Education Model for schools in Maharashtra. Yesterday, Minister Sanjay Bansode visited Delhi’s government schools, and was introduced to the novel academic methods, curriculum and administrative practices that have been implemented in Delhi by the AAP. Upon being taken through the newly developed ‘Schools of Specialized Excellence’ (SoSE) model, the newly constructed laboratories & playgrounds, and the Entrepreneurship and the Deshbhakti curriculum, the Minister went on to attest that Delhi’s Education Model is the need of the hour when it comes to a model educational policy reform, for Maharashtra, and for India at large.
It is a well-known fact that Maharashtra & Mumbai are faced with an alarming need for transformative educational reform. As compared to more than 16 lakh students studying in Delhi’s 1000 government schools; there are only 2.72 lakh students in the existing 1,145 BMC schools in Mumbai – a number that has been ominously falling over the last six years. In 2019, Praja warned Mumbai’s ruling parties that, if the trend follows, the BMC will have no new student enrollments by 2028. This is despite the BMC spending an astonishing INR 1,08,000 annually on each student, with nothing to show for it; as compared to INR 1,02,000 spent per student annually under the Delhi government. If the outcomes of such a financial outlay were actually realised, one would expect that students would opt away from expensive private schooling – as in Delhi, where more than 2.4 lakh private school students applied to shift to Delhi’s public schools – which now supersede most private schools in terms of infrastructure and pedagogy.
Unfortunately, the situation is far too grim in Mumbai’s schools for this to even be a remote possibility, as the Shiv Sena & the MVA continue to abdicate their responsibility towards public education. In the face of comparable student budget outlays, the difference in the lived realities of our cities’ students forces us to ask – In Mumbai, why have we failed to provide our children with bare minimum standards of quality education for so long, and why is it that education in Mumbai is fast becoming an increasingly private, and subsequently, a privileged institution? While the AAP in Delhi has emphasized on outcome-oriented policy measures to reduce dependence on private facilities; while the BMC has shut down, or leased, more than 220 schools to private entities between 2009-2019, disastrously inhibiting access to education for the poor in Mumbai.
While we welcome Maharashtra Minister of State & NCP Leader Shri Sanjay Bansode’s decision to replicate the Delhi Education Model in Maharashtra, we are afraid that this may become one more empty promise under a PR-driven MVA government, and another case of showmanship with no underlying substance. If public education is to be transformed, it must be backed, at levels of governance, by an honest intent of public welfare, as demonstrated by the AAPs work in Delhi. What separates the AAP is that our policy claims are backed by tangible outcomes and results.” said Sumitra Shrivastav, AAP Mumbai Working President.
“When voted to power, this is the revolutionary change that AAP Mumbai seeks to bring to BMC schools, through it’s education policy vision. We hope that this is a wake-up call for the Shiv Sena & the BMC administration, which has slowly driven public education in Mumbai to its demise, and must alter its course of action on a war-footing if it wants to steer away from a complete collapse of municipal schools.” said Dwijendra Tiwari, AAP Mumbai Working President.
Ref: AAP MEDIA TEAM
Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik on Tuesday accused NCB official Sameer Wankhede of illegal phone tapping and announced that he will hand over a letter on the official’s misdeeds’ to the agency head.
Sameer Wankhede through two persons in Mumbai and Thane is illegally intercepting the mobile phones of some people, said Malik, who has been targeting Wankhede after his son-in-law’s arrest.
Malik also claimed that Wankhede had sought the call detail record (CDR) of his family member from the police.
Wankhede in his affidavit submitted to a Mumbai court on Monday claimed he was under a “lurking threat of arrest as it does not suit some vested interests for conducting an honest and impartial investigation”.
The official had also claimed that he was being personally targeted by a well-known political figure (Malik), and the only reason he can fathom is that the NCB had arrested “this person’s son-in-law Sameer Khan”.
Malik said he is forwarding a letter written by someone in NCB about the various illegal activities of Wankhede’ to the agency’s DG S N Pradhan.
The NCP minister said the NCB should investigate the 26 allegations in the letter claiming an extortion racket’ being run within the anti-drugs agency.
As a responsible citizen I will be forwarding this letter to DG Narcotics requesting him to include this letter in the investigation being conducted on Sameer Wankhede, the minister tweeted.
Malik said he has also submitted a copy of the letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, state Home department and to the sitting and former heads of the Congress, which is an ally of the NCP and Shiv Sena in Maharashtra.
I am going to share the same letter with top NCB officials and ask them to look into the matter. I am not against any particular agency. One bad fish brings down the reputation of an entire agency, he said.
The NCP leader also alleged that Wankhede has sought the CDR of his daughter.
On what grounds Wankhede is seeking the CDR report of my daughter. I think Wankhede is crossing the limits. I will expose those people involved in phone tapping with proof, he said.
Malik on Monday claimed that Sameer Wankhede is a Muslim by birth and his real name is ‘Sameer Dawood Wankhede’.
The minister had released what he claimed the birth certificate of Sameer Wankhede and alleged that the latter had forged documents.
However, the NCB official’s father later said his name is Dnyandev and not Dawood, as claimed by Malik.
On Tuesday, speaking to reporters here, Malik said, “I have all the authentic documents to prove that Sameer Wankhede was born into a Muslim family, but he forged his identity and sought a job under the Scheduled Caste category. As per the law, Dalits who are converted to Islam do not get the quota privilege, thus Sameer Wankhede has denied the job opportunity to a genuine person from the Schedule Caste.
A legal probe into the matter will be initiated soon, the minister said.
On Sameer Wankhede’s father saying his name is not Dawood, Malik said it is true that the NCB official’s father Dnyandev Wankhede was born into a Dalit family in Washim district (earlier Akola) and he later joined state Excise department.
“But, he married a Muslim woman here in Mumbai by converting himself to Islam and accepted the name Dawood. He has two children. However, Dnyandev Wankhede had an afterthought and he used his father’s certificate to obtain all the documents in the name of Dnyandev Wankhede so that his children would benefit,” the minister claimed.
Malik said if he has produced fake documents, Dnyandev Wankhede should show the birth certificate of Sameer Wankhede and prove his side.
“I am challenging Dnyandev Wankhede to produce the caste certificate of his son, he said.
Malik further stated that after 26 January 1950, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar had said although he was born as Hindu, he would not die as a Hindu.
“The then Union government immediately issued a presidential order stating that reservation benefits in government jobs would be applicable to Dalits from Hindu religion only,” he said.
“Subsequently, the Kabir and Sikh sects got exempted from the order. The last change was brought in by late PM V P Singh, who exempted Dalits converted to Buddhism. However, the Indian law does not offer similar quota benefits to the SC persons converted to Islam or Christianity, the minister said.
Thus, Dnyandev Wankhede, who “became Dawood by accepting Islam” cannot seek the quota benefits, Malik said.
“It is the sole reason why I am calling his documents bogus, he said.
He alleged that Sameer Wankhede and some of his colleagues were involved into some “extortion racket”.
“Their recent visit to Maldives was for the same reason. I believe the amount was as high as Rs 1,000 crore, the minister claimed.
Asked how Sameer Wankhede could get away with the alleged ‘bogus’ caste certificate while joining a central agency, Malik said there have been multiple complaints by many activists and social organisations working to protect the rights of the SC/ST categories on the use of bogus caste certificates to get benefits or government jobs.
The Maharashtra government later made it mandatory to obtain a caste certificate by a state-appointed committee for caste validation. It prevents forging of documents, he said.
“However, in case of jobs in agencies coming under the Union government, a mere certificate from district collector is sufficient. In case of Sameer Wankhede, who was born in Mumbai, a certificate was issued by the then Mumbai district collector,” the minister said.
Asked about the possible legal repercussions of his allegations, Malik said, I urge them to file a defamation case under IPC 499 and 500. I want them to go to a magistrate’s court and take action against me.”
Let them seek a compensation of Rs 100 crore or Rs 200 crore. They should not forget that the complainant has to deposit 10 per cent of the compensation amount first as stamp duty with the court, he said.
“Although Dnyandev Wankhede was born in a Scheduled Caste family, after joining the state excise department, he was transferred to Mumbai. He married late Zaheeda in Mumbai in mid-1970s. The marriage took place at Ghagara building located on 10 Bunder road in Mazagaon area here. Dnyandev converted to Islam and they lived as a Muslim family and have two children. No one can deny this fact, as there are enough proofs to establish it, he said.
Malik said the birth certificates of people born in Mumbai were available online, but he was surprised that he could not find Sameer Wankhede’s certificate.
“It took me more than a month-and-a-half to find a digitised copy of Sameer Wankhede’s birth certificate in the state government archives. But, the birth certificate of his sister Yasmeen Wankhede was found online, he added.
‘Pustak Chor’ – Illegalities in the functioning of Mumbai Marathi Grantha Sangrahalay exposed by AAP Mumbai
The Mumbai Marathi Grantha Sangrahalay is over a 100 year old institution. Prominent personalities and freedom fighters like Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, Justice Ranade and Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak have graced it’s membership. The institution is replete with history such as the inauguration of Sharda Cinema, on the premises of the Sangrahalay by former PM Jawaharlal Nehru.
The Orgranization has 27 Branches and over 7000 members. The Mumbai Marathi Grantha Sangrahalay is not just a library but has been a refuge of generations of countless young people who have used its reading rooms to study, while they didn’t have adequate space at home.
Sharad Pawar and Dr Bhalchandra Mungekar, got involved in the functioning of this institution in 1980s. Ever since people like Sharad Pawar and Dr Mungekar got involved in the affairs of the Sangrahalay, all rules and procedures have gone for a toss. Gross illegalities include-
*1.Constitution*
There is a an approved constitution of 1984 and an unapproved constitution of 1989 but the work that is going on is not as per either of the approved or the unapproved constitution, though the management claims to work as per the the 1989 constitution.
*2. Extended term*
The 1989 constitution grants them a 3 year term, but the management commitee has been working for over five years.
*3.Appointment of trustees*
The Constitution stipulates that the trustees must be appointed in a general body meeting, but this has still not been done till date. But they were just appointed in the meeting of the governing body and not the general body meeting.
Trustees were just appointed at the whim of Sharad Pawar. He wrote a letter in the morning and they were appointed as trustees in the evening. Here is a letter which says make them trustees- ANNEXURE 1.
These are-
1. Supriya Sule
2. Anil Desai
3. Pratap Asabe.
Lastly, the election that was conducted on 26th September, was illegal and flouted all norms. As per the constitution, all members elect the managing committee but the electors were restricted to only 36 members. Hence, Anil Galgali didn’t contest the election, as it was against the letter and spirit of constitution’s provision 10.1.
What is the interest of Sharad Pawar in the Mumbai Marathi Grantha Sangrahalay? He has historically, always been allegedly accused of land grabing but in this case it is not just land grabbing but something as petty as a ‘Pustak Chor’, for that is what he is.
AAP has written to the Charity Commissioner against the above mentioned blatant illegalities. We demand that the body be suspended and an adminstrator be appointed and further pending elections be conducted per constitutional provisions..
The fifth Test between India and England was cancelled on Friday amid a chaotic turn of events during which the host board’s statement on the visitors changed from “unable to field a team and will instead forfeit the match” to “regrettably unable to field a team”.
The development came after the touring side was left on tenterhooks following physio Yogesh Parmar’s positive COVID-19 test that led to concerns that the infection could spread during the match, which was eventually cancelled a couple of hours before toss.
The initial statement issued by the England and Wales Cricket Board categorically mentioned the word “forfeit” but that was later omitted from a revised media release. Both statements are in possession of PTI.
“Due to fears of a further increase in the number of COVID cases inside the camp, India are regrettably unable to field a team,” read the revised ECB statement.
It is learnt that, led by skipper Virat Kohli, who voiced his apprehension strongly, the players, late on Thursday, got into a huddle and couldn’t be convinced by the BCCI brass to play the game.
The BCCI issued a statement of its own, hoping that the match could be rescheduled sometime later.
“In lieu of the strong relationship between BCCI and ECB, the BCCI has offered to ECB a rescheduling of the cancelled Test match. Both the Boards will work towards finding a window to reschedule this Test match,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah said.
A COVID-related quarantine would have meant missing out on IPL matches, starting September 19. The players are also awaiting reports of a fresh round of tests that have conducted.
“Following ongoing conversations with the BCCI, the ECB can confirm that the fifth LV= Insurance Test between England and India Men due to start today at Emirates Old Trafford, will be cancelled,” the ECB stated.
“We send our sincere apologies to fans and partners for this news, which we know will cause immense disappointment and inconvenience to many,” it added.
As of now, India are 2-1 ahead and have not been officially declared winners of the series simply because there is a chance of the fifth Test being played during the window in July next year when the team visits for a six-match white-ball series.
Ever since the Indian players refused to play despite testing negative on Thursday, there have been continuous back-channel talks between the two boards.
“The BCCI and ECB held several rounds of discussion to find a way to play the Test Match, however, the outbreak of Covid-19 in the Indian team contingent forced the decision of calling off the Old Trafford Test Match,” Shah said.
Ultimately the apprehension expressed by Kohli and Co. took precedence.
“The BCCI has always maintained that the safety and well-being of the players is of paramount importance and there will be no compromise on that aspect,” Shah said.
Shah thanked the English board for its understanding of the trying circumstances.
“The BCCI would like to thank the ECB for their co-operation and understanding in these trying times. We would like to apologise to the fans for not being able to complete an enthralling series.”
It is understood that the COVID-19 rules for the World Test Championship matches do not include forfeiture and that’s where Kohli and his men were able to get their way.
Under the competition terms of the WTC, COVID-19 is identified as “acceptable non-compliance should there be a significant impact of it on the team being able to play.”
This is because the match can remain cancelled from the competition and with ICC using percentage points system based on points won in matches played, a cancelled match is of no value to any team.
The Indian players feared that the 96-hour incubation period factored in, they were at risk to return positive during the match and end up in 10-day quarantine, according to BCCI sources.
There were many questions that cropped up during the last 12 hours for BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and Shah with a number of factors being taken into account.
The chances of the IPL’s schedule, starting September 19, going haywire were also taken into account as broadcasters and franchises wouldn’t have taken the delay lightly.
Also, deferring the game by a day or two would have caused logistical issues as the Indian and English players were supposed to fly together to the UAE in a charter flight.
“There is no guarantee that post Ravi Shastri’s book release function which the team attended, there won’t be more cases. So players were wary and more so about being in isolation for 10 days,” a source said.
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