In a disconcerting revelation, it has been reported that 54 civic schools in the Pimpri Chinchwad area lack playgrounds, leaving students devoid of regular physical activities. The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has come under scrutiny for the absence of designated play areas in many of its schools, a situation attributed to the age of these institutions.
With a total of 139 civic schools across Pimpri Chinchwad, the issue has raised concerns about the overall well-being and development of students who are missing out on essential physical activities. PCMC officials acknowledge the challenge and claim to arrange for playgrounds at neighboring schools for those lacking dedicated spaces. However, there is no fixed schedule for these activities, with physical exercises conducted at least once a week.
Assistant Municipal Commissioner Vijaykumar Thorat stated, “We are ensuring that new schools in the city have dedicated playgrounds. For students of older schools without playgrounds, we arrange for spaces in neighboring schools.” Thorat acknowledged that some schools lack nearby playgrounds, leaving students entirely without physical activities.
Experts weigh in on the broader issue, asserting that this problem extends across Maharashtra. Vishwanath Patole, president of the Maharashtra State Physical Education Coordination Committee, expressed concern, stating, “Around 80% of the schools in Maharashtra lack adequate infrastructure for physical activities.” He criticized government policies, claiming that permissions are granted to schools without sufficient space to operate.
Mahesh Ganpule, spokesperson for the Maharashtra School Principal Association, highlighted the severity of the issue in urban areas. “Due to rising constructions in urban areas, there is no space left for playgrounds. Schools must find alternate spaces because outdoor games are crucial for overall student development,” Ganpule emphasized.
Ganesh Raut, president of the Pune District Physical Education Mahasangh, raised concerns about students’ preparation for state or national sports events, asserting, “Students lack training for these events due to the absence of playgrounds.”
The situation has sparked discussions on the need for policy-level decisions to address the lack of infrastructure for physical education in schools across Maharashtra.
