<p>Deciding to drive the ‘School on Wheels’ (SoW) scheme to the next level, the BBMP will introduce mid-day meals, uniforms among other facilities for students signing up for the programme.</p>.<p>Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Assistant Commissioner (Education) Umesha B S told <span class="italic">DH</span> that the civic body intends to provide all facilities in their nursery schools to SoW students.</p>.<p>“We will start providing the uniforms soon. However, since the buses are parked at various locations, we are yet to figure out how the mid-day meals can be supplied,” Umesha said.</p>.<p>Rolled out last year, SoW aimed to lure back school dropouts. Although civic authorities remodeled 10 buses to create a school-like environment, enrolment stagnated in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.</p>.<p>“The number of students attending these classes has stabilised now. There is a good response for this academic year. We have been receiving 200 to 250 students across the zones now,” Umesha said.</p>.<p>Officials also asked teachers to keep a close watch on the students. “We eventually want to send the students back to regular schools. They hail from illiterate families and their parents have no awareness,” a senior BBMP official said.</p>.<p>The Palike handed two of its buses to an NGO to provide Montessori education. “They have a fair experience in running schools. They also have customised teaching tools and methodologies,” said a senior Palike official.</p>.<p>The NGO will offer food and regular health check-ups for the students.</p>
<p>Deciding to drive the ‘School on Wheels’ (SoW) scheme to the next level, the BBMP will introduce mid-day meals, uniforms among other facilities for students signing up for the programme.</p>.<p>Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Assistant Commissioner (Education) Umesha B S told <span class="italic">DH</span> that the civic body intends to provide all facilities in their nursery schools to SoW students.</p>.<p>“We will start providing the uniforms soon. However, since the buses are parked at various locations, we are yet to figure out how the mid-day meals can be supplied,” Umesha said.</p>.<p>Rolled out last year, SoW aimed to lure back school dropouts. Although civic authorities remodeled 10 buses to create a school-like environment, enrolment stagnated in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.</p>.<p>“The number of students attending these classes has stabilised now. There is a good response for this academic year. We have been receiving 200 to 250 students across the zones now,” Umesha said.</p>.<p>Officials also asked teachers to keep a close watch on the students. “We eventually want to send the students back to regular schools. They hail from illiterate families and their parents have no awareness,” a senior BBMP official said.</p>.<p>The Palike handed two of its buses to an NGO to provide Montessori education. “They have a fair experience in running schools. They also have customised teaching tools and methodologies,” said a senior Palike official.</p>.<p>The NGO will offer food and regular health check-ups for the students.</p>
