In a surprising turn of events, the Group School scheme initiated by the state education department in Pune has failed to attract a single proposal. The deadline for submissions, which was set for October 15, has come and gone without a single educational institution showing interest. This unexpected outcome may force the government to reconsider the entire process.
The scheme was introduced as a response to the declining enrollment numbers in state government schools. The education department reached out to school principals with fewer than 20 students, urging them to come forward with proposals to merge and create group or cluster schools. Prior to this initiative, group schools had been successfully established in Toranmal, Nandurbar district, and Panshet, Pune district, by consolidating government schools with student populations ranging from zero to twenty.
However, this proposal was met with fierce resistance from various teacher organizations across the state, leading to widespread protests against the merger plan. The heated opposition appears to have had a profound impact, as not a single proposal has been received by the Primary Education Department. In response, the department has initiated daily meetings with divisional offices and education officers to assess the situation and potentially revisit the order.
