X: @vivekbhavsar
Mumbai: In a landmark move to bridge the rural-urban education divide, Pune Zilla Parishad has rolled out an innovative initiative, Skill on Wheels, bringing experiential and skill-based learning directly to rural classrooms. Designed and implemented in partnership with Lend A Hand India (LAHI), the Skill on Wheels bus is a mobile laboratory equipped with modern tools, activity kits, and vocational training resources. The initiative is already making an impact, giving students in remote areas the opportunity to learn through science experiments, hands-on vocational practice, and essential life skill activities.
The bus began its journey on 25th August 2025 and will cover 30 Zilla Parishad schools across Pune district until 10th October 2025. Its first stops were ZP Primary School, Kasarsai in Mulshi, where 89 students and 6 teachers from classes 6 and 7 participated, and ZP Primary School, Shirsufal in Baramati, where 60 students and 5 teachers from classes 5, 6 and 7 benefitted. These early visits have already given rural children a rare exposure to practical, skill-oriented education that goes far beyond textbooks.
The initiative is part of the broader Pune Model Schools vision, which emphasises Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) along with creativity, problem-solving, adaptability, and innovative thinking.
Speaking about the program, Gajanan Patil, IAS, CEO of Pune Zilla Parishad, said, “Education today cannot be limited to textbooks and examinations. To truly prepare our children for the future, they must be equipped with practical exposure, hands-on learning and skills that build confidence and curiosity. The Skill on Wheels initiative is designed to bridge this gap, ensuring no student in rural areas is left behind.”
Also Read: Petition Challenges Ujjwal Nikam’s Rajya Sabha Nomination, Cites Office of Profit
Over the next few weeks, the Skill on Wheels bus will travel across multiple talukas, making advanced learning tools accessible to children in villages and semi-rural schools. By democratising access to experiential education, Pune Zilla Parishad is paving the way for a more inclusive and future-ready generation of students.
