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THE schools run by the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) are witnessing what officials claim is a steady rise in numbers with more girls joining each year. Besides, officials said independent assessments have confirmed significant improvements in academic outcomes. This is in sharp contrast to the UDISE+ data which shows decline in enrolment in civic schools across the country, officials said. In total, PCMC runs 134 schools.
“We have a plan implemented every day. There is consistency in our implementation. Be it DBT for school kits to digital classrooms, from libraries and arts teachers to QCI assessments, every reform is visible. Parents can see the difference, and that visibility is now showing up in rising enrollments,” said Additional Municipal Commissioner Pradip Jamble-Patil.
The education officials said, “The rise in girl student enrollment reflects the confidence parents have in the safety and quality of our civic schools.” The QCI framework, officials said, has also shown that their focus on academics is yielding results.
The PCMC administration said the enrollment in the civic schools has collectively grown from 48,153 in 2022-23 to 50,581 in 2023-24, and 50,749 in 2024-25.
In the ongoing academic year 2025-26, as of September 8, the number has already reached 54,418 students. Girls continue to form the majority, rising from 24,788 in 2022-23 to 25,902 in 2023-24, and 25,922 in 2024-25, officials said.
Officials said the rise in enrollments is matched by measurable gains in learning. ”Quality Council of India (QCI) assessments show that the share of students at the beginner level fell from 28% in 2023-24 to 13% in 2024-25, while those achieving advanced-level proficiency increased from 0.5% to 6%. Early-grade results are particularly encouraging: in Grade 2, beginners dropped from 30% to 7%, while advanced learners jumped from 0% to 25%,” the education department said.
Parijat Prakash, headmaster, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj English Medium School in Kasarwadi, said, “We have seen a remarkable increase in the number of families seeking admission to our school. For our 80 Junior KG seats, which are filled through a lottery, the number of applications has risen each year. In 2024–25, we had 105 boys and 77 girls applying. This year, applications have already gone up by nearly 20%. Beyond entry-level admissions, we also see parents lining up for lateral entry tokens, with many choosing to shift their children from private schools to PCMC schools. At the same time, we have observed a consistent reduction in drop-out rates.”
The reforms extend from early years to higher grades, officials claimed.
Over 6,000 children in PCMC’s 211 Balwadis have benefitted from child-friendly classrooms, with assessments showing a 20–24% improvement in early literacy, numeracy, and motor skills.
The Spandan programme is building social-emotional learning and life skills, while the English as a Second Language (ESL) initiative has reached more than 27,000 students, making English a language of confidence. ”Cultural activities like ‘The Art Box’ exhibitions and ‘Jallosh Shikshanacha’ are broadening student horizons, while Bharat Darshan tours are exposing meritorious students to national learning experiences,” officials said.
In a bid to ensure safe learning environments, the PCMC administration said it has also rolled out School Safety Audits as per NCPCR and NCERT guidelines, partnered with the Police Department on Police Kaka and Damini Squad sessions, and collaborated with Muskaan Foundation and Arpan for child protection training. 23 counselors are now active across schools, while School Management Committees (SMCs) closely monitor safety and child protection measures.
