India, June 26 -- Teachers' bodies have strongly opposed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) decision to rope in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for managing academic activities at some of its schools, saying it sidelines regular municipal teachers and weakens the public education system.

"Municipal teachers have dedicated their lives to educating children from underprivileged backgrounds. Instead of strengthening government schools and supporting existing teachers, the administration is giving academic control to NGOs. This decision creates uncertainty among teachers and sends a message that the administration has little faith in its own workforce," the Municipal Samarth Workers Union, which has teachers among its membe...