Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed a budget of Rs 3,544.34 crore for education in the 2025-26 financial year, representing an increase from the Rs 3,167.63 crore allocated in 2024-25 (budget estimate). This reflects a growth of 11.5%, amounting to approximately Rs 376 crore. However, the proportion of education spending within the overall budget has decreased from 5.83% to 4.76%.

Both revenue and capital expenditures have been increased. Revenue expenditure, covering routine operations, has risen from Rs 3,167.63 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 3,544.34 crore for 2025-26. Meanwhile, capital expenditure for infrastructure and new projects has grown from Rs 331.91 crore to Rs 411.30 crore.

The BMC budget has also shown its concerns over the dues of Rs 6,581.08 crores that have to be recovered from the state government. This amount includes Rs 5,232.61 crores for primary schools and Rs 1,348.47 crores for secondary schools. The department informed that it has been taking continuous follow-ups with the state government regarding the matter.

The budget introduces several new educational initiatives. A STEM Robotics Lab will be set up in BMC schools to promote interest in science and technology, with Rs 10 crore allocated for primary education. A Cyber Literacy project, aimed at teaching safe internet practices and preventing online fraud, will receive Rs 11.80 crore each for primary and secondary students.

Additionally, Science Parks will be piloted in two BMC school buildings, and English language labs will be set up alongside existing computer labs, with Rs 10 crore allocated for secondary students.

A financial literacy programme for students from Std. 6 to Std. 9 will provide practical training on budgeting, investments, loans, and insurance, with Rs 12 crore allocated to the initiative.

Moreover, to support students’ physical development, supplementary nutrition will be provided from Nursery to Std. 10, with Rs 101.37 crore dedicated to primary students and Rs 16 crore for secondary students.

Educational resources will also be improved, with subject-specific guidebooks being distributed to students from Std. 1 to Std. 5, costing Rs 4.43 crore, while scholarship guides for Std. 5 and Std. 8 will receive Rs 27 lakh. English grammar books for students in Std. 5 to Std. 8 will be provided at a cost of Rs 3.54 crore.

Safety and hygiene measures are being prioritised as well. Fire control stickers will be installed on school electrical switchboards to prevent fires, costing Rs 4 crore, while 5,000 toilet cleaning devices will be placed in 500 school buildings at an expense of Rs 1 crore. Damaged school boards will be replaced with new whiteboards, receiving Rs 10 lakh.

The “Jaadui Pitara” initiative, designed to foster creativity and joyful learning among young students, has been allocated Rs 10 lakh. Additionally, school compound walls will be painted with educational messages to promote moral values and visual learning, costing Rs 12.60 crore.