Review Meeting on Zilla Parishad Schools in Jalna District Held
Mumbai, Sept 2026 : Minister for Animal Husbandry, Environment and Climate Change and Guardian Minister of Jalna district Pankaja Munde directed officials to inspect the current condition of classrooms, toilets, drinking water facilities, compound walls and other infrastructure in Zilla Parishad schools across Jalna district and submit a report by September 5.
She also directed officials to prepare a comprehensive plan to improve educational facilities in Jalna district, including the development of model schools, anganwadis, modern libraries and sports grounds.
Minister Munde conducted an online review from her office at Mantralaya regarding the repair of classrooms and construction of new classrooms in Zilla Parishad schools in Jalna, as well as branding initiatives for Jalnai Silk. Jalna Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Krishnakant Kanwaria and Jalna Municipal Commissioner Anjali Sharma were present, while Additional Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Parishad Shirish Bansode and other officials participated through video conferencing.
During the meeting, she reviewed the construction of new classrooms, repairs to old classrooms, the condition of toilets for boys and girls, drinking water facilities and other infrastructure in Zilla Parishad schools.
Funds Must Not Remain Unutilised
The current condition of buildings housing Zilla Parishad schools, anganwadis and Gram Panchayat offices, along with required repairs, available funds and pending works, should be reviewed, Munde said.
She made it clear that funds sanctioned for projects must not remain unutilised because of delays in tendering or administrative procedures. The responsibility of the concerned officials would be fixed in such cases, she warned.
A review of anganwadi and Gram Panchayat buildings across the district will also be undertaken in the coming days, and officials were directed to prepare a report on their condition.
Funds are available in Jalna district for school digitalisation and the Model School initiative. Maximum emphasis should be placed on improving the quality of existing schools through these funds, Munde said.
Schools should be provided with painting and necessary repairs, child-friendly decoration, digital classrooms, quality benches, books and sports facilities, she added.
Schools Should Promote Equality and Social Harmony
Paintings and messages displayed on school walls should not be limited merely to decoration. They should help inculcate values of equality, social harmony, inclusiveness and a scientific outlook among students, Munde said.
She suggested including paintings and themes based on stories from the Panchatantra, thoughts of saints and great personalities, inspirational incidents and messages promoting social unity. Schools should adopt child-friendly concepts reflecting local culture and the surrounding environment, she said.
Available playgrounds in schools should not remain unused. Soft red soil should be laid on the grounds and basic facilities should be created for sports such as kho-kho, kabaddi, mallakhamb and badminton.
Planning should ensure regular use of these playgrounds for the physical development of students, Munde said.
She also directed the Zilla Parishad to constitute teams to periodically inspect schools and take action against those consuming tobacco or alcohol on school premises.
Facilities to be Provided in Model Schools
Munde said an ideal model school should have a library, kitchen garden, safe green fencing, tree plantation, CCTV surveillance and uninterrupted power supply.
Through digital classrooms, students should have access to online guidance and interactive learning opportunities, she said.
She also pointed out that anganwadis and Zilla Parishad schools find it difficult to meet electricity expenses from their limited grants when they are charged commercial electricity rates.
She said the Chief Minister would be requested to consider introducing a separate or concessional electricity tariff for anganwadis and educational institutions.
Prepare Plan for Improvement of Municipal Schools
Jalna currently has 16 municipal schools. The number of schools should be determined based on student enrolment, Munde said.
Officials should study student numbers, the current condition of school buildings, the location of slums and disadvantaged settlements, and the time required for students to reach schools before preparing a comprehensive plan for their improvement, she directed.
Libraries being developed within the limits of the Jalna Municipal Corporation should not follow a traditional model. Instead, they should be designed according to the requirements of competitive-exam aspirants, researchers and regular readers.
Such libraries should include separate study rooms, open reading areas, computers and laptops, television sets, online guidance facilities and research sections, Munde said.
Time-Bound Completion of Park Projects
The pending tender process for parks being developed and upgraded by the Municipal Corporation should be completed immediately, Munde directed.
The parks should include tree plantations, measures to reduce dust and pollution and health-oriented facilities for citizens.
She directed officials to finalise the design, estimated costs, tendering process and implementation schedule for all projects and complete them within fixed timelines.
Distinctive Designs for Jalnai Silk Products
Regarding the branding of Jalnai Silk, Munde directed officials to make a presentation and said that three to five distinctive designs should be finalised to give Jalna district's silk products a unique market identity.
The possibility of incorporating design elements inspired by mosambi (sweet lime), local stone latticework and architectural styles, as well as the Ajanta art style, should be explored, she said.
The number of designs should be kept limited so that they become instantly recognisable as a symbol of Jalna district.
A professional branding consultant should be engaged to prepare a detailed business plan covering product quality, raw materials, weaving time, artisans' wages, pricing and sales arrangements, Munde said.
In the initial phase, high-quality products that are affordable for middle-class consumers should be introduced to build trust in the brand. A separate premium range of high-value products can subsequently be developed.
She also directed officials to ensure that weavers and artisans receive fair remuneration while fixing the prices of Jalnai Silk products.
