With the growing popularity of night schools in Pune, these establishments are more than just educational institutes. Mrunal Jadhav traces down the city’s 100-year-old first-night school which has educated thousands of students over the years.
Pune, often celebrated as the Oxford of the East, boasts a rich educational heritage, drawing students from across the country. However, many students from rural areas and low-income backgrounds still face significant barriers to receiving education due to financial burdens. For these students, accessing traditional day schools or colleges remains a challenge. Night schools in Pune have emerged as a crucial solution, providing a lifeline for those who dream of education but cannot afford it during regular hours.
Night schools are particularly beneficial for students of all ages who have had to interrupt their studies due to financial constraints. These institutions offer flexible schedules, allowing students to work during the day and attend classes at night. Many students juggle jobs as hotel staff, labourers, housekeepers, and other similar roles. At night schools, it’s not uncommon to witness inspiring scenarios, such as a mother and her son attending classes together, united in their pursuit of education.
Night schools are particularly beneficial for students of all ages who have had to interrupt their studies due to financial constraints.
Beyond the conventional
One of the notable institutions leading this effort is the Poona Night High School and Junior College, popularly known as Poona Night School. Established in 1920, it is the first night school in Pune and the second in Maharashtra. The school plays a crucial role in transforming the lives of countless students by providing them with the education they need to achieve their dreams and escape the cycle of poverty. The institution caters to students from grades 8 to 12, with instruction primarily in Marathi.
A legacy of excellence
The school has consistently delivered exceptional academic results, with students excelling in both their X and XII Maharashtra board exams. This achievement is even more remarkable considering the challenges these students face daily. The institution also encourages participation in extracurricular activities, fostering a well-rounded education.
Established in 1920, Poona Night School is the first night school in Pune and the second in Maharashtra.
One of the school’s notable initiatives is the scheme introduced by former Principal Avinash Takavale, who served Poona Night School for over 35 years. During his tenure as the principal, he launched a program that provided free education to over 500 students by securing funds. “We also help these students get jobs. Many of our students have become lawyers, and excelled in other fields as well,” shares Takavale.
Notable politicians like Sushil Kumar Shinde, Narayan Rane, and Shivaji Adhalrao Patil have walked through its doors.
A platform for opportunity
For many students from rural areas, survival in Pune is a daily struggle. The flexibility offered by night schools allows them to earn a livelihood while pursuing their educational goals. As Takavale aptly puts it, “This is a platform that allows students to earn and learn.”
Ninety percent of the students coming to night school have poor backgrounds and only aim to complete their education.
He further shares that a mother of four was one of the students at the institution who has become a lawyer. “We have many such students with the aim of achieving their dreams, coming from villages and working hard during the day and studying at night,” says Nilesh Sabne, a teacher at the night school.
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The school operates from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., accommodating the busy schedules of its students. Sabne says 90 per cent of the students coming to night school have poor backgrounds and only aim to complete their education. “Every year, we achieve an 80 per cent average passing rate,” he shares.
Night schools provide a vital opportunity for students who might otherwise be deprived of education due to financial hardships. “Through these institutions, students are not only able to pursue their dreams but also contribute meaningfully to society, breaking free from the shackles of poverty,” says Sabne.
The flexibility offered by night schools allows them to earn a livelihood while pursuing their educational goals.
Wake-up call for all
While these schools are a ray of hope for many, the electricity crisis among many others still poses a challenge in their education. Sabne says, that during the electricity cut, the students study in candle lights. “But education gets disrupted, especially during the examination days,” shares Sabne.
However, it is unfortunate that the city which prides itself on several noted educational institutions and a home for night schools, can’t ensure necessities like enough electricity or a backup generator to build a bright future by educating those who are willing to put in extra efforts.
