Sion’s British-Era School Under Investigation for Operating in Unauthorised Building

Mumbai, India: The Maharashtra state education department has launched an investigation into the Our Lady of Good Counsel School near Sion railway station for operating without proper authorisation. The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) has been directed to examine the matter and submit a report.

The 1939-established school came under scrutiny after an RTI inquiry revealed that it only has a temporary Occupation Certificate (OC) but lacks crucial approvals like a property card, building commencement certificate, and approved building plan.

Education activist Nitin Dalvi, President of the Maharashtra Parents, Teachers, and Students Association, initially lodged a complaint with the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR). The school failed to provide complete documentation, prompting further RTI requests to MCGM’s planning department.

Dalvi also raised student safety concerns, citing the school’s high-risk location near a hillside in Sion, which poses potential dangers like landslides or structural collapse. He warned of legal action if students were not relocated to a legally recognised institution.

The matter is under investigation, with the Education Department expected to determine corrective actions.