Preschools in residential areas must vacate: BBMP

BENGALURU: Scores of preschools in the city have been asked to vacate as part of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike's ( BBMP) current crackdown on commercial activities in residential areas.

“Our estimate is that 4,000 preschools have received notices, some seeking explanation and some asking them to vacate within seven days,“ said Pruthvi Banwasi, secretary of the Karnataka Council of Preschools.

Making a case for preschools in residential areas, he said: “We can't run day-care centres in commercial areas where people are smoking and there's so much crowd.“ On December 6, municipal commissioner N Manjunath Prasad issued a public notice asking commercial establishments in residential areas to voluntarily shut shop.

“A major complaint from residents is about the nuisance created by schools in the neighbourhood. Why do they start in residential areas in the first place?

Most of them are run from within homes, and they are not permitted,“ BBMP joint commissioner (health) Sarfaraz Khan said.

Members of the Karnataka Council of Preschools, the Federation of Montessori Schools and the Indian Montessori Centre are meeting on Wednesday to discuss response to BBMP.

“Child care and clinics are allowed in residential areas. We primarily provide child care. Children aged 2-6 need a homely atmosphere,“ Banwasi said.