Pune: PCMC Schools Struggle with Principal Shortage, 25 Schools Await Permanent Appointments

Reported By Varad Bhatkhande

Pimpri Chinchwad, 15th July 2024: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) frequently highlights numerous measures and activities aimed at improving education levels in PCMC schools. However, currently, 25 out of the 105 schools run by PCMC lack a functioning principal, awaiting permanent appointments.

These schools are managed by acting or in-charge principals who also teach, leading to dual responsibilities and impacting teaching standards. Experienced senior teachers, eligible for promotion, are waiting with hope for promotion. While efforts are made to enhance facilities and increase student enrollment, the absence of principals hampers educational activities in many schools.

In the absence of full-time principals, senior teachers are tasked with administrative duties, despite rules mandating a principal for schools with over 100 students. This situation forces teachers to balance non-academic tasks with teaching responsibilities, ultimately affecting students’ academic progress.

Concerned parents whose children attend these schools have voiced worries about academic setbacks due to the lack of a principal. They question whether teachers should focus on teaching or school management. There is a collective demand from parents for PCMC administration to expedite the appointment of full-time principals.

Vijay Kumar Thorat, Assistant Commissioner of the Education Department at PCMC, acknowledged the issue, stating, “26 principals retired at the end of the previous academic year, and the promotion process is underway. PCMC schools will soon have full-time principals.”