A new school named Jyoti Savitri School is being set up in Pune district with the aim of offering free, quality education to meritorious students from rural areas. Backed by the Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Shikshan Sanstha, the school will focus on supporting talented students from government and Zilla Parishad schools by giving them access to better resources, trained teachers, and a supportive academic environment. The school is expected to start functioning from the 2025 academic year, with residential facilities and a curriculum aligned with national standards.

I feel this is a very important initiative that deserves attention. Many bright students from rural areas often miss out on opportunities just because they don’t have access to quality schools, coaching, or academic guidance. The efforts of Jyoti Savitri School bridge that gap and open new doors for children who might otherwise get left behind. I’m writing about this not just to highlight a good news story, but to underline how meaningful change in education can start with the right intention and execution. When we support rural talent, we invest in the future of the country. That’s why projects like this need both public recognition and policy support.

A Vision for Equal Opportunity in Education

The Jyoti Savitri School project is part of a broader effort to provide high-quality education to students who show academic promise but come from underprivileged backgrounds. Run by the Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Shikshan Sanstha, this residential school will be located at Maval in Pune district and is scheduled to begin in 2025.

What makes this school different:

• Admission will be based on a merit list created from a special entrance test
• It is aimed at students currently studying in government-run and Zilla Parishad schools
• Selected students will get completely free education, hostel, and meals
• The school will offer CBSE-based curriculum with a focus on both academics and extracurriculars
• Emphasis will be placed on STEM subjects, English, general knowledge, and personality development

This model is inspired by the vision of offering rural students the same opportunities that urban students get through expensive private institutions or coaching centres.

Who Will Benefit from This Initiative?

Students who are:

• Studying in rural areas of Pune district
• From economically weaker backgrounds
• Scoring consistently high marks in school exams
• Motivated to pursue careers in medicine, engineering, civil services, or research

By focusing on this group, the school hopes to create a pool of students who can later become role models and give back to their villages and communities.

The People Behind the Project

The school is being built under the leadership of Shivaji Bhosale and supported by trustees and educationists from Pune and surrounding areas. The Sanstha already runs several educational institutes and is now taking a focused step towards rural education through this project.

What’s heartening is that the school is named after two iconic figures—Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule—who themselves fought for education rights in 19th-century Maharashtra. That adds symbolic depth to the effort.

Addressing Rural Disparity in Education

We all know that rural students face multiple challenges—lack of electricity, poor access to digital tools, fewer experienced teachers, and absence of academic support. What Jyoti Savitri School is doing is not just filling a gap but attempting to break the cycle of inequality.

If this school succeeds, it could become a model for other districts in Maharashtra—and even across India.

What the Government and Society Can Learn

The initiative shows that partnerships between NGOs, trusts, and local communities can create sustainable educational models. It’s not always about building more government schools. Sometimes, it’s about targeted, smart investment in high-potential children who can then go on to inspire others.

• The government can consider replicating this format in other districts
• Private players can sponsor scholarships or provide teaching staff
• Alumni from such schools can be encouraged to mentor future batches