Nagpur: Thousands of students of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) schools are likely to continue attending classes barefoot as the civic body is yet to provide shoes and socks even after the academic session has begun. The delay comes while NMC is pursuing an ambitious plan to upgrade its schools.At a special meeting of the education committee on Monday, chairperson Santosh Laddha directed officials to send a proposal to the state govt for shifting NMC schools to the CBSE curriculum. The panel also discussed opening two English-medium schools in every Assembly constituency, upgrading 21 semi-English schools into smart schools with modern laboratories and computer facilities, and launching special coaching classes for Class X students with NGO support.However, thousands of students are still waiting for shoes and socks under the state’s scheme. While education department ensured uniforms and textbooks reached students before new session, procurement of shoes and socks has stalled as govt is yet to release funds. Each student is entitled to one pair of shoes and two pairs of socks, with 170 sanctioned per student.NMC has 11,924 students in 113 primary schools and 28 high schools and junior colleges. It requires nearly 21 lakh to procure footwear for students. Until funds arrive, many children from economically weaker families are left to attend school barefoot or make their own arrangements.The delay in procurement has raised questions about the quality of education at civic body-run schools in Nagpur, home city of CM Devendra Fadnavis and Union minister Nitin Gadkari. Congress corporator Washim Khan also raised the issue with Laddha, expressing concern over the issue.Laddha said fresh govt guidelines have now been received, and the procurement process has begun. “Funds are often released later. Students will receive the shoes and socks soon,” she said.The committee also reviewed teacher recruitment, noting that 92 contractual teachers joined on June 27 and directing officials to fill the remaining vacancies. NMC has budgeted 25.67 lakh for uniforms and 23.91 lakh for textbooks this year.
