The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has published a list of 164 unauthorized schools in Mumbai, mainly located in low-income neighborhoods such as Chembur, Mankhurd, Govandi, Malad-Malvani, and Dharavi. These schools, which cater to over 80,000 students, often lack the necessary infrastructure and do not have approval for primary education. BMC education officer Sujata Khare emphasized the importance of enrolling children in recognized schools, either municipal or private, to ensure quality education. The BMC has been addressing the issue of unauthorized schools for several years, with a recent survey identifying 218 such institutions. While some school managements have sought approval from the state education department, many schools continue to operate without the required credentials. The Watchdog Foundation has urged the government to consider an amnesty scheme under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, to prevent abrupt closures that could disrupt the education of thousands of students.