The Congress party staged a fiery protest today outside the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) headquarters, decrying what they call a catastrophic collapse of the city's education system. Led by Thane Congress city president Vikrant Chavan, the demonstrators slammed the TMC for mismanaging a hefty Rs 359.34 crore education grant, leaving students and teachers grappling with deplorable conditions and a severe shortage of staff.

Chavan painted a grim picture: "The education system in Thane is in ruins. Five out of six supervisor posts for municipal and private schools are vacant. Eight group head positions and 24 centre coordinator roles remain unfilled. Only eight of 16 clerk posts are occupied, and just 45 of 112 sanctioned constables are working." He highlighted that the Education Committee's main office is limping along with only seven staff members against a sanctioned strength of 18.

The teacher shortage is equally alarming. Of 856 approved teacher posts, 174 are vacant, forcing the TMC to rely on temporary, hourly appointments. This staffing crisis has driven a sharp decline in student enrollment, plummeting from 72,000 to just 30,000 in municipal schools. "Parents are losing faith in the system," Chavan said, pointing to delays in essential services like the PM Nutrition Scheme's 'khichdi' meals, which only started on August 4 despite schools reopening on June 16. Uniforms, scout guide kits, and educational materials are similarly delayed, further hampering students' learning experience.

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The Congress demanded urgent action, calling for immediate recruitment to fill vacant posts and a structural audit of school buildings by reputed institutions like IIT or VJTI to ensure safety. Chavan also pushed for Marathi nameboards on private schools and prioritizing Marathi-speaking individuals for employment and supplier contracts. "If this is the state of education in Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s home turf, what hope is there for Maharashtra?" the Congress statement questioned, accusing the administration of gross apathy.

The protestors warned of escalating their agitation with a chain hunger strike at the TMC headquarters if their demands are not met. Local parents and community leaders echoed the Congress's concerns, citing dilapidated classrooms, outdated teaching materials, and a lack of basic amenities like clean drinking water and functional toilets. "Our children deserve better," said Sunita Pawar, a parent of two municipal school students. "The TMC must stop neglecting our schools."

The TMC, however, defended its efforts, claiming that recruitment processes are underway and that budget constraints have limited their ability to address all issues simultaneously. A TMC official, speaking anonymously, said, "We are committed to improving the education system, but these challenges require time and resources." Critics argue that this response sidesteps the urgency of the crisis, especially given Thane’s significance as a major urban center.

The Congress's protest has sparked a broader debate about the state of education across Maharashtra, with opposition leaders calling on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to intervene directly. As the TMC grapples with mounting pressure, the future of Thane’s students hangs in the balance.

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