Pune: AAP Protests PMC School Privatization Plan, Urges Residents To Oppose Move
Pune: AAP Protests PMC School Privatization Plan, Urges Residents To Oppose Move
Pune, June 17, 2026: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) activists staged a protest during the Pune Municipal Corporation’s General Body meeting on Wednesday, voicing strong opposition to what they described as the privatization of municipal schools. The demonstration followed the Standing Committee’s approval of a proposal to provide funding to the Akanksha Education Foundation for managing civic schools.
AAP leaders criticized the PMC administration and the ruling BJP, alleging that the move would transfer control of municipal schools to private organizations while the financial burden would continue to be borne by taxpayers.
According to the party, some municipal schools were earlier handed over to private institutions under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model due to financial constraints faced by the civic body. The Akanksha Education Foundation, which has been operating certain schools through CSR support, has reportedly sought financial assistance from the PMC to continue running these institutions.
AAP leaders claimed that the foundation has requested funding of approximately ₹27,000 per student annually and alleged that the Standing Committee has approved the proposal. The party argued that if public funds are now being used to support schools managed by private organizations, it raises questions about the original rationale behind the PPP model.
The party further stated that Pune, often regarded as a hub of education, should strengthen and improve its own public school system rather than depend on private agencies. AAP leaders pointed to their party’s education model in Delhi and Punjab, where government schools have been upgraded and positioned to compete with private institutions.
AAP also expressed concern that similar arrangements could eventually be expanded to more municipal schools across Pune and other cities, leading to greater privatization of public education. Party representatives alleged that the model could allow private entities to manage schools while relying largely on government funding.
The party further raised concerns regarding disparities in teacher salaries, qualifications and staffing norms between privately managed schools and regular municipal schools. It argued that such arrangements could adversely affect contractual teachers working within the public education system.
AAP demanded that the Pune Municipal Corporation fulfill its constitutional responsibility to provide quality education through its own schools and refrain from outsourcing educational management to private organizations.
Among those present during the protest were Mukund Kirdat, Abhijit More, Amit Mhaske, Raviraj Kale, Satish Yadav, Kiran Kadre, Rishikesh Kanawate, Shubham Chavan, Nitin Kute Patil, Sanjay Kone, Akshay Mhaske, Mahadev Kapare and Pradeep Udage.
The statement was issued by Mukund Kirdat on behalf of the Aam Aadmi Party.
