Broken boards, no lab staff, insufficient classrooms: Inside Pimpri schools

A single three-storey building in Pimpri-Chinchwad houses five school units, collectively educating over 1,100 students. However, teachers at these institutions grapple with chronic space shortages, deteriorating infrastructure, and staffing issues that hinder effective classroom management. The building houses the nursery and primary sections of two Urdu schools, as well as the PCMC’s Thakare Secondary School.

Teachers at these schools face staffing shortages across various departments. The Thakare Secondary School currently employs only 13 teachers for 380 students, with no dedicated full-time science or mathematics teacher. Moreover, there is no lab assistant for science, computer, STEM, tinkering, or library activities. Clerical duties have also been shouldered by teaching staff, who must simultaneously teach and handle administrative tasks, such as gathering data for RTI applications, consuming much of their time instead of teaching.

The lack of essential infrastructure only exacerbates these issues. The secondary section of Prabodhankar Thakare Vidya Mandir hosts 380 students in just eight classrooms, while the school's cultural hall has been converted into additional classrooms, leaving no room for cultural events. Furthermore, staff rooms are insufficient for the number of educators present.

Teachers also lament the poor state of digital infrastructure, noting that smart boards installed in 2019 have largely stopped working since 2022, with only 11 out of 13 still functioning. Additionally, frequent internet connectivity issues have limited the effective use of these boards.

The condition of sanitation facilities, particularly around the Urdu Primary School, is another pressing concern. The school receives water only on alternate days, making hygiene maintenance difficult. Additionally, there are only four toilets for girls and eight for boys for over 1,100 students, severely impacting student comfort and hygiene.