Nearly shut down in 2021, Pune ZP school among 4 shortlisted from India for World's Best School Prize 2025

Indian Express

23-06-2025

A Zilla Parishad (ZP) school in Pune district's Jalindarnagar village has been shortlisted among global finalists for the World's Best School Prize 2025 in the category of Community Collaboration in education.
Three other Indian schools – one each from Karnataka, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh – have also been shortlisted under various categories for the award organised by UK-based international education platform T4 Education.
The ZP school in Pune's Khed taluka was on the brink of closure in 2021 with just three to four students on its rolls. The school has since undergone a major transformation under the leadership of President's award-winning teacher Dattatray Ware, who was transferred here the same year. Today, it serves 120 students in classes 1 to 8, supported by just two full-time teachers, and stands as an example of how community engagement can redefine effective school education with limited resources.
Talking about this journey, Ware said, 'The real change began when the villagers came forward. Many even donated their land to expand school infrastructure. We are running a skill-based education programme in 22 trades with help from villagers, many of whom are working professionals in varied sectors and volunteer as educators for classes related to their trade.'
'This is a ZP school run by the government but our motto is to not wait until the government provides. The school, with help from villagers, is proactive in obtaining facilities or creating the resources required for our students.'
The school has established academic partnerships with institutions like Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), introducing students to the science and technology sector. Exposure to foreign languages and advanced mathematics skills are also part of the curriculum.
Among the school's innovative approaches is the 'Vishay Mitra' (subject friend) initiative. This is a peer-learning model, where senior students mentor juniors, helping clarify doubts in a comfortable, student-led setting. 'Sometimes children hesitate to ask questions to teachers or in front of the entire class. With small group settings led by a friend from a senior class, they open up easily,' Ware explained.
The World's Best School Prize is an initiative launched in response to the COVID-19 crisis, and aims to spotlight schools that are creating meaningful changes in classrooms and on the outside. Voting to choose the best schools will take place till July 9 and this year's winners will be announced in October.