Making an allocation of Rs 3 crore in the civic education budget estimates for 2009-10, Municipal Commissioner Jairaj Phatak said on Tuesday: “A lot of students from municipal schools find it difficult to get admissions into traditional colleges because of factors like cost constraints, cut-off marks, etc. Municipal students will find it easier to gain admission and continue with their studies in the BMC junior colleges.”

At present, the BMC also runs three B Ed colleges.

Meanwhile, the BMC—whose schools cater to nearly 5 lakh students — education budget saw a hike of Rs 298.19 crore compared to last year, with the total education budget outlay for 2009-10 being Rs 1,431.14 crore.

This includes an allocation of Rs 24.49 crore for general civil repairs, electrical installation, repairs of electric instruments, furniture, office tools, maintenance of schools’ playgrounds, camp sites, etc. The coming financial year will see major repairs in 87 schools as per the recommendations of the Dhanuka Committee Report constituted following a Bombay High Court directive.

Also, to make BMC schools eligible for ISO certification, a provision of Rs 2.33 crore for primary schools and Rs 1 crore for secondary schools has been made.

Also, 465 civic school buildings will get high-speed Internet connectivity.

To deal with space crunch, the BMC has proposed the use of foldable and movable portable cabins, for which a Rs 3-crore provision has been made.

The 29 libraries run by the BMC-owned Mumbai Marathi Granth Sangrahalaya will get an upgrade, for which Rs 75 lakh has been allocated. The BMC has also proposed a grant of Rs 25 lakh to the Asiatic Library.