Pune, 11th June 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is set to consider a proposal that would see the civic body spend more than ₹101 crore over the next nine years on five municipal schools currently managed by the Akanksha Foundation.
The proposal, which is expected to come before the Standing Committee on June 11, has sparked debate over the alleged privatization of municipal education.
The five English-medium schools operated by the foundation are located in Somwar Peth, Bhawani Peth, Bopodi, Yerawada and Koregaon Park. The schools have been managed by the Akanksha Foundation since 2007.
While PMC currently bears expenses related to infrastructure, uniforms, educational materials and utility bills, the foundation has been responsible for providing principals, teachers and other staff.
However, the foundation informed PMC that it is no longer receiving sufficient Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding to continue operating the schools under the existing arrangement. Following this, the civic administration decided to invite tenders for managing the schools.
PMC floated a tender in December 2025, and the Akanksha Foundation emerged as the eligible bidder. The foundation initially sought ₹27,000 per student annually, but the amount was later negotiated down to ₹25,000 per student per year. Under the proposed nine-year agreement, PMC is expected to pay a total of ₹101.25 crore for around 4,500 students.
The proposal has also drawn criticism because it was reportedly sent directly to the Standing Committee without first being discussed by the Education Committee. Some members of the Education Committee have expressed dissatisfaction over being bypassed during the decision-making process.
Opposing the proposal, Congress leader Ramchandra Kadam said, “If the Akanksha Foundation is not receiving CSR funding, there is no reason for PMC to pay ₹25,000 per student. These five schools should be run in the same manner as other municipal schools. There should be no discrimination among students. The Congress party will oppose this proposal in the Standing Committee.”
