BMC allocates Rs 4,248 crore education budget with focus on digital classrooms, student welfare

New Delhi: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has allocated an education budget of Rs 4,248.08 crore for the financial year 2026–27. Additional Commissioner Dr Avinash Dhakne presented the budget to Education Committee Chairperson Rajeshree Shirwadkar.

This is the first education budget presented by newly elected representatives after five years. Along with regular provisions such as free school materials and building maintenance, BMC has introduced several new initiatives ranging from cyber literacy training to math skill development and awareness about child protection laws.

Focus on infrastructure, facilities

The civic body will complete 57 new school construction projects while Rs 340 crore has been set aside to finish 15 ongoing projects. Additionally, Rs 180.27 crore has been earmarked for the maintenance of 569 municipal school buildings.

To improve safety, Rs 42 crore will be spent on installing CCTV cameras in schools. Digital learning will also get a boost with Rs 23.38 crore allocated for digital classrooms in primary schools and Rs 1.08 crore for secondary schools.

The BMC will spend Rs 34.28 crore on modern seating arrangements for students from nursery to Class 10. A provision of Rs 8.70 crore has been made to provide free travel for students on BEST buses. A new CBSE school will be opened in Andheri East. The budget also includes Rs 5 crore for setting up Science Parks in two municipal schools and Rs 5 crore for library modernisation.

Student welfare, academic support

The education department has allocated Rs 187.57 crore for free educational materials. Separate tenders have been issued for free school supplies with Rs 150.57 crore set aside for primary schools and Rs 37 crore for secondary schools. A grant of Rs 690 crore has also been provided to private primary schools.

In a major announcement, the civic body will bear educational expenses up to graduation for the first 25 Mumbai students who score above 90 per cent in the Class 10 board exams.

To strengthen language skills, 278 English Language Experimental Schools will be started for Classes 8 to 10 at Rs 3.87 crore. Science laboratories will be upgraded with a provision of Rs 10 lakh.

The ‘Math Thursday’ initiative has been introduced to reduce the fear of mathematics among students with Rs 1.20 lakh allocated for the programme. Music materials worth Rs 36 crore will be purchased and three Art Excellence Centres will be set up to promote artistic talent. The civic body will also organise oratory competitions for students from Class 3 to Class 8 and provide facilities for team sports.

Awareness, cyber literacy, special initiatives

The BMC has placed special focus on awareness programmes. Around 20,000 students from Class 8 and Class 9 will receive cyber literacy training. A total provision of Rs 11.80 crore has been made for cyber education in primary schools and the same percentage for secondary schools.

Students will also be educated about safety laws and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Special sessions and camps will be organised to create awareness about the harmful effects of drug addiction.

An environmental initiative called ‘Eco Warriors’ has been allocated Rs 2.40 crore to promote conservation awareness among students. Additionally, Rs 10 lakh has been set aside for disability therapy materials.