Pune: PMC-run schools raise alarm amidst lack of basic necessities

A recent survey by the AAP Parents Union highlighted the alarming lack of basic facilities in Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)-run schools, affecting students’ access to quality education.The survey focused on schools in areas like Narveer Tanaji Wadi, Khairewadi, Aundh, and Kasturba Gandhi Slum, revealing deficiencies in essential amenities such as toilets, drinking water, classrooms, playgrounds, computer labs, and fire-fighting systems.

Despite the state government’s allocation of 1,10,000 seats for economically weaker sections (EWS) under the RTE admissions, the dismal condition of PMC schools listed on the RTE site threatens to deprive countless students of a conducive learning environment.
This situation has prompted many families to seek admission in private English medium schools, further exacerbating the decline in enrollment in government schools.

Parents express reluctance to enroll their children in PMC schools due to doubts about the quality of education and the absence of English or CBSE-affiliated institutions.
The state of these schools, lacking asic necessities mandated by the RTE Act like grounds, walls, and functional toilets, coupled with insufficient teaching staff, underscores the urgent need for intervention.
As the government considers consolidating under-enrolled schools, the options for students from low-income families are limited to either poorly-equipped government schools or nearby low-cost private alternatives.
This segregation based on economic status not only hampers socialization but also perpetuates discrimination, exacerbating disparities in educational opportunities.
The deteriorating condition of PMC-run schools underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to ensure equitable access to quality education for all students, irrespective of their socioeconomic background.