Jyoti Savitri International School, inspired by Phules, set to open in Pune's Purandar next year
Inspired by the legacy of Mahatma Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule—pioneers of inclusive and girls' education—the Jyoti Savitri International School (JSIS) at Khanavdi in Purandar, Pune, will open in April 2026.
Spread across a 12-acre campus supported by the Pune Zilla Parishad, JSIS will be a CBSE-affiliated institute. The school is scheduled to open with grades KG to 2 and will ultimately grow to serve approximately 1,840 students from deprived communities in and around Khanavdi through Class 12.
Mahatma Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule spent their lives not just to educate girls but also to provide education to children from underprivileged communities. Despite the odds and opposition, the Phules, along with their friends, started multiple schools in Pune to provide education for children from marginalised communities.
JSIS was conceptualised by Pune Zilla Parishad, Khanavdi villagers and Pensive Architecture company which provided pro bono services. Construction began in 2020–21 with a vision to serve underprivileged children, especially destitute girls. Fiat India Automobiles Private Limited (FIAPL). joined hands to help construct the infrastructure for the school through their corporate social responsibility initiative.
The Pune Zilla Parishad has partnered with Christel House India to work towards the empowerment of the underserved communities. This public-private partnership envisions to follow the path shown by the Phules.
Phase 1 of construction, supported by FIAPL, is in its final stages and will include administrative offices, 24 classrooms, science and computer laboratories, activity spaces, and sanitation facilities.
Gajanan Patil, CEO, Pune Zilla Parishad, said, 'The Zilla Parishad is spearheading public-private partnerships in education, and we are delighted to see multiple parties join hands to make Jyoti Savitri International School a reality. Christel House India's proven model gives us confidence that underserved children in Khanavdi and nearby villages will receive a high-quality education, completely free of cost.'
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