The Indian Express                  08.05.2013

PCMC to start two English medium schools next year

Semi-English medium divisions set to be introduced in 35 PMC schools from the next academic session.

As the Pune Municipal Corporation takes final steps to introduce semi-English medium divisions in PMC-run schools from next year, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation has gone one step ahead. Apart from introducing semi-English medium divisions in civic-run schools, PCMC has decided to start two English medium schools.

The proposal to introduce semi-English medium divisions in schools run by the Pune Municipal Corporation has set a precedent for the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. The PCMC will be emulating the same in its schools from the next academic year. "We have identified 33 schools where semi-English medium divisions will be introduced. We had planned to cover 50 schools, but only 33 have voluntarily accepted this proposal," said Vijay Lokhande, chairman, PCMC School Board.

Apart from this, PCMC will be starting two new English medium schools in Kasarwadi and Pimpri villages. "It is the need of the hour to have our youth well versed in English. Hence, the PCMC, in collaboration with Thermax Ltd, will set up two schools here. The coming academic year, we will start these two schools with Lower Kindergarten classes," said Lokhande. "The Pimpri school will have two divisions of 20 students each and Kasarwadi school will have three divisions of 20 students each," he added.

The education here in these schools will be free of cost. "Even books, bag and uniform will be given free. Infrastructure facilities like building, playground etc will be provided by PCMC and the teachers will be appointed and paid by the Thermax management. This will help students from poor families get a shot at education in English medium. Every year, one class will be increased," said Lokhande.

"The final stages of introducing semi-English medium divisions in the PMC-run schools are underway. We have already trained the teachers for a week," said PMC School Board chief Shivaji Daundkar.

The semi-English medium divisions were supposed to be started in all PMC-run schools that had classes with two divisions and were willing to adopt this medium. One division will be converted to semi-English. "There are 310 PMC-run schools and this scheme will be introduced in 35 schools, i.e. 35 divisions will be converted to semi-English medium," said Daundkar. "The parents will have a choice of admitting their children into semi-English or Marathi medium divisions," he added.