Why PCMC is Teaching Kids How to Think, Feel, and Decide ? 

Pimpri, August 1, 2025: At one of PCMC’s civic schools, a teacher recently shared how a student froze during a simple classroom activity — not because he didn’t know the answer, but because he was too anxious to make a decision. Another child broke into tears after losing a game, unsure how to manage disappointment. These aren’t rare stories.

Last year, a citywide student assessment revealed something deeply concerning: many children in PCMC schools lacked essential life skills — such as critical thinking, emotional regulation, and decision-making. According to the QCI Life Skills Assessment, only 12% of students demonstrated strong decision-making abilities, while over 40% gave incorrect responses in self-awareness and critical thinking.

In response, PCMC launched ‘Spandan’, a Social-Emotional and Ethical (SEE) Learning & Life Skills Program aimed at developing confident, grounded, and compassionate young citizens. The initiative draws from global best practices, including CASEL, UNICEF’s Life Skills Framework, and SEE Learning developed by Emory University under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh noted,

“We often ask children to behave better or think smarter. But do we ever teach them how? Spandan does exactly that — it helps children understand themselves, empathise with others, and make thoughtful choices.”

The program was rolled out in April across 140 municipal schools and 211 Balwadis, with plans to reach over 60,000 students. 21 specially selected Master Trainers are currently undergoing intensive training in facilitation and SEE content and are cascading these learnings through monthly teacher clusters.

“The foundation of the National Education Policy lies in holistic development — and Spandan builds this foundation through emotional and ethical learning,” said Sunita Gite, Nodal Supervisor for the initiative. “This program helps students walk through life with confidence and awareness of their responsibilities — toward themselves and society.”

Recently, these Master Trainers visited Jnana Prabodhini — a school already integrating SEL in its approach — marking their first field exposure to structured emotional learning in action. They observed how age-appropriate activities and experiential learning can make life skills like empathy and decision-making come alive in classrooms.

“Even with just two training sessions so far, we’ve already implemented SEE activities and seen students respond with genuine enthusiasm,” shared Shubhada Tathe, a Headmistress and Master Trainer. “That tells us the program is already making a difference.”

The program structure includes engaging practices such as “Mindful Mondays,” “Thankful Thursdays,” and “Friendly Fridays”, alongside visualisation exercises, reflective journaling, and group discussions — all embedded in the regular school timetable.

“Spandan is incredibly relevant in today’s stressful, fast-paced world,” said Avinash Walunj, a Master Trainer. “Through this program, we’re not just building skills — we’re preserving humanity. And that’s what education is meant to do.”

PCMC Additional Commissioner Pradip Jambhale Patil added, “We looked at several national and international models and adapted the best parts to suit our children’s realities. Spandan is a long-term investment — not just in education, but in the kind of society we want to build.”

PCMC Assistant Commissioner Kiran More said, “With Spandan, PCMC is moving towards classrooms where emotional strength is seen as vital as academic excellence — and where children are empowered not just to learn, but to live meaningfully.”

At a Glance: What is Spandan?

Why: QCI assessment showed students struggled in decision-making (only 12% got it right), self-awareness (42% incorrect), and critical thinking (43% incorrect)

What: Spandan – a Social-Emotional and Ethical (SEE) learning program based on CASEL, UNICEF & SEE Learning frameworks

Who: 21 specially selected SEE Master Trainers are guiding all 1,000+ educators across 140 schools and 211 Balwadis

For Whom: 60,000+ students from Balwadi to Grade 10

How: Through “Mindful Mondays,” roleplays, stories, visualisations, and classroom reflections

Goal: Help children understand themselves, act with compassion, and make better life decisions