Unique New English School tops in state govt competition

Pune: A flurry of activity gripped schools across the state between Aug 5 and Sept 6 as students and educators raced to be the best.
When the results of ‘Chief Minister My School, Beautiful School-Phase 2' were announced on Saturday, New English School on Tilak Road in Pune had reason to celebrate. The school secured the first position at the divisional level, while Shri Shivaji Maratha High School in Pune came in third position after a school from Nagpur in the competition.
Students and teachers, under the guidance of principal Sunita Rao, supervisor Suresh Vargantiwar, and school committee president Khemraj Ranpise, worked together diligently to bag the award. The education department announced the winners.
"The school is unique with features like the only artificial planetarium in Asia, an observatory for space observation, a vast library with 37,000 books, an English language lab, a maths playhouse, extensive laboratories, a large playground, a museum with 125 minerals from around the world, and a rare lamp collection," Rao said.
In the govt school category, the Zilla Parishad Primary School in Dhanore from Pune district emerged victorious, securing the first position at the state level. Prabhat Kids School Somthana from Akola district claimed the top spot in the private school category.
School education minister Deepak Kesarkar made the announcement. Schools that clinched the first place at the state level will be rewarded Rs 51 lakh each. Educational institutions that achieved the second position at the state level will receive Rs 31 lakh, while those that secured the third spot will be given Rs 21 lakh.
Education commissioner Suraj Mandhare said, "The competition witnessed an overwhelming response from educational institutions and students alike. This year's second phase saw enthusiastic participation by approximately 9,800 schools, involving around 1.9 crore students and roughly 6.6 lakh teachers in various activities associated with the initiative. The second phase allocated a total of 150 points based on infrastructure, implementation of govt policies, and educational achievements."
Sixty-six schools will be honoured, including those that secured the first, second, and third positions at the state level, as well as the top three schools from each of the eight divisions and groups A and B of Greater Mumbai and municipal corporations. The award ceremony will take place on Monday at National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai.