PCMC to Provide Playgrounds for 26 Civic Schools in a Bid to Improve Physical Health
The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) is taking significant steps to ensure that its students have access to essential outdoor spaces for physical activity. As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of education, the PCMC’s education department has identified a pressing issue within the city’s civic schools—26 primary schools currently lack dedicated playgrounds. This absence of proper play areas has hindered students’ opportunities for physical development, something that has been highlighted as a major gap in the educational infrastructure.
Following a comprehensive gap analysis conducted in 2024, the PCMC discovered that 26 out of the total 110 primary civic schools and 34 secondary schools in the city are operating without playgrounds. The absence of such spaces means that students have limited access to physical activities, which are crucial for their overall well-being and growth. The education department has now initiated steps to address this issue by seeking assistance from the town planning department. The goal is to identify and acquire nearby reserved open land in line with the city’s Development Plan (DP), which can be transformed into playgrounds for these schools. A senior PCMC official from the education department revealed that discussions are already underway with town planners to identify suitable plots of land for this purpose.
This move by the PCMC is part of a broader commitment to improving the physical infrastructure of civic schools. The gap analysis report covered more than 150 parameters, assessing critical aspects such as sanitation, toilet facilities, classroom size, and availability of educational materials. The goal is to address these infrastructural deficiencies and provide a conducive learning environment for students. With the population of Pimpri Chinchwad growing rapidly, the demand for quality educational infrastructure is higher than ever, and the PCMC is keen to make the most of available resources to meet these needs. The corporation has also been working towards expanding its school buildings, with six new structures currently under construction, three of which are nearing completion.
Sustainability is a key aspect of this initiative, as providing dedicated playgrounds aligns with the principles of building healthier, more sustainable communities. Physical activity is essential not only for the health of children but also for promoting a culture of well-being in urban environments. With increasing urbanisation, access to open spaces has become more limited in many cities. By converting unused or reserved lands into playgrounds, the PCMC is ensuring that future generations have a safe space to engage in physical activities, which can help combat the rising tide of lifestyle diseases linked to sedentary living. Furthermore, this initiative will make use of land that is otherwise underutilised, contributing to better land management and urban planning.
The move to ensure that every civic school in Pimpri Chinchwad has a dedicated playground highlights the growing recognition of the importance of physical education in a child’s development. This initiative is a welcome step towards making the city’s educational infrastructure more inclusive and well-rounded. As the city continues to grow, the focus will be on building more spaces that cater to the diverse needs of its population, with an emphasis on sustainability and health. With the ongoing expansion of infrastructure and the commitment to addressing key gaps in civic schools, the PCMC’s efforts may serve as a model for other urban centres striving to improve their educational environments.
