7.5k applicants for 3.5k seats: BMC’s CBSE schools a hit this year, too

The school education department will be verifying the applications of the students selected so far. Representation pic

The BMC's newly started CBSE schools are getting a huge response for admissions, with there being 7,500 applications for just 3,500 seats even amid the pandemic. The numbers may point to the civic body's overhaul plan for the education sector to be working.

After seeing the encouraging response from citizens to the only municipal CBSE school, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had added 10 more such schools last year. Admissions are being conducted through a lottery process to ensure transparency. In two lottery rounds, 2,730 students have already been allotted seats. Admissions will be finalised after verification of documents.

"Considering the COVID condition, a new schedule for the verification process will be uploaded soon. Parents will be called in batches only by appointment to prevent crowds. However, it will be declared later, only after taking a review of the situation," said an official from the civic School Education Department.

"We are really happy with the overwhelming response to the new CBSE schools. The admission process is also being conducted through a lottery process which ensures a fair chance for all applicants," said Sainath Durge from the BMC's Education Committee.

The BMC's education department has been working to bring about a change in the perception toward civic schools. The ambitious plan began last year with the opening of one school for each of the popular boards preferred by parents - ICSE and CBSE.

2,730
No. of students allotted seats through the lottery system