The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has unveiled its Budget Estimates for the financial year 2025-26, marking a significant step towards enhancing the educational landscape of Mumbai. With a total budget allocation of rS 3955.64 crore, the BMC is committed to providing quality education to every child within its jurisdiction, ensuring that no student is left behind. This budget is a crucial part of Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani`s first tenure, and it continues to build on the third consecutive budget under the administration`s guidance. With an overarching aim of fostering inclusive, innovative, and accessible education, the BMC`s new initiatives promise substantial improvements to Mumbai`s educational infrastructure and student welfare.
BMC key announcements & highlights for Budget 2025-26
1. Introduction of Vision 27
Initiation of `Vision 27` to adapt to the changing education system.
Implementation of `Mission SAMPURN` focusing on:
- Admission
- Merit
- Productivity
- Universalization of Education
- Responsibility
- Nutrition and Health
- School Infrastructure
2. Budget overview
- Total Budget Estimates for 2025-26: Rs 3955.64 Crore
- Revenue Income: Rs 3544.34 Crore
- Capital Expenditure: Rs 411.30 Crore
3. Educational infrastructure enhancements
- Repair, upgrade, and reconstruct school buildings with a budget provision of Rs 300.71 crore.
- Introduce modern facilities such as digital classrooms, astronomical laboratories, e-libraries, and skill development centres.
- Install CCTV cameras with a budget of Rs 13 crore and water purifiers to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment.
4. Focus on student enrollment and quality education
- `Mission Admission` to increase student enrollment in BMC schools.
- `Mission Merit` to enhance student learning and participation in competitive exams.
- Regular practice tests will be conducted for foundational literacy and numeracy, particularly for students in Std. 2 and 3.
The goal is to bring a majority of eligible and out-of-school children into the mainstream of education.
5. Health and nutrition initiatives
Implementation of health-related schemes:
- The Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana, which provides nutritious meals to students.
- The School Health Program, ensuring regular health check-ups for students, with 70,085 students receiving health check-ups in the previous year.
- Distribution of sanitary napkins and spectacles to promote health and hygiene among students, with a budget of Rs 19 lakh for sanitary napkin distribution.
- Establishment of Autism Therapy Centres to support students with autism spectrum disorders.
6. Welfare schemes for underprivileged
- Special efforts to provide education to underprivileged and weaker sections.
- Welfare schemes for disabled students and girls` attendance allowance.
- The Girls Attendance Allowance scheme has a budget provision of Rs 7.16 crore.
7. Competitive exams and extracurricular activities
- Support for students participating in scholarship exams, Olympiads, and other competitions.
- Various extracurricular activities including drawing, music, and sports competitions.
- In the previous year, 3,525 students appeared for the Scholarship Exam, with 826 students passing. The budget allocates Rs 56 lakh for scholarship exams and Rs 40 lakh for Olympiad exams
8. New projects and initiatives
In a bid to modernize education, the BMC plans to introduce several innovative projects, including:
- Establishment of STEM Robotics laboratories with a budget of Rs 10 crore to spark interest in science and technology.
- Implementation of Cyber Literacy projects with a budget of ₹11.80 crore to educate students about safe internet practices.
- Development of a Student Assessment System for continuous evaluation of academic progress, with a budget provision of ₹1.70 crore.
9. Grants and financial support
- The BMC anticipates receiving substantial grants from the state government to support primary and secondary education.
- The expected grant for primary education is Rs 557.41 crore, while Rs 223.71 crore is anticipated for secondary education.
- This financial backing will ensure the continued operation and support of private aided schools and public libraries.
The BMC`s Budget Estimates for 2025-26 reflect a robust commitment to enhancing the quality of education in Mumbai. By focusing on modern infrastructure, health initiatives, and inclusive education policies, the BMC aims to create a nurturing environment where every child can thrive. As Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj aptly stated, “Education is not just about learning facts, but about developing the skills and values that will help us live a fulfilling life.” The BMC is dedicated to making this vision a reality for the children of Mumbai.
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