Pune: The state’s first zilla parishad (ZP) school operating under a public-private partnership (PPP) model will be inaugurated this Saturday in Khanwadi. The village is the birthplace of legendary social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule.The school, which is also the first ZP institution in Pune district to be affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), will be inaugurated by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. The ceremony will be attended by deputy chief ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, along with other dignitaries.The project is designed to provide high-quality, free education from Kindergarten to Class XII for children from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds. “The school aims to bridge the gap for those who have historically faced financial constraints and long commutes to access quality schooling,” said Pune ZP chief executive officer Gajanan Patil.Spanning a 12-acre campus, the project was made possible through a unique collaborative effort: local villagers donated the land, architects and consultants provided their services pro bono, and the infrastructure was developed through corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding.While the Zilla Parishad will retain administrative control, an expert regulatory committee has been established to oversee daily operations and maintain academic standards. The school will initially benefit 260 students from nearby villages. Additionally, there are plans to introduce a residential facility for meritorious students from across the district starting from Class VI.The initiative is being hailed as a potential model for inclusive education across the state. “This is more than just a school; it is a movement rooted in Phule’s vision of accessible education,” Patil said.The inauguration is timed to coincide with Mahatma Phule’s birth anniversary celebrations, serving as a modern tribute to his enduring legacy of educational reform.
