About 1,240 pupils from 164 unauthorised Mumbai schools moved to recognised schools

Following action by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), about 1,240 students from 164 unauthorised schools in Mumbai have been moved to recognised institutions. Of them, 690 were admitted to schools run by the BMC itself. The remaining 550 found places in private institutions with the help of the civic body.

The 164 schools had been served closure notices during the 2025-26 academic year. According to a report, about 5,000 students were enrolled in these institutions when the notices were issued. So far, therefore, only about 1,240 children have been moved elsewhere, against the figure at the time of the notices.

The report said the transfer process ran into difficulties because of low participation by parents. The civic body tried to help students get admission to recognised schools, but many parents showed very little interest in the process.

The BMC had set up an admission centre in a new municipal school building at Shivaji Nagar in Govandi, under the M-East ward. The centre was meant to let parents complete the admission process and shift their children to authorised institutions.

Meanwhile, the civic body has filed FIRs against 77 of the 164 schools that received closure notices. Action has begun against 70 of these 77 schools named in the complaints. However, many schools have challenged the civic body's decisions.

In one such case, the Bombay High Court directed the BMC not to act against unauthorised schools until the petition concerned is heard. After this direction, the civic body approached its legal department for advice. The BMC is also reviewing the other petitions filed by schools before deciding on further action.

The civic body has also proposed to the Maharashtra government that recognition be sought for 45 primary schools. These schools are also running secondary sections.