Parbhani Zilla Parishad CEO Unveils Ambitious School Garden Initiative
In a significant move to transform educational infrastructure, Parbhani Zilla Parishad chief executive officer Natisha Mathur has announced an ambitious district-wide initiative to implement kitchen garden-linked midday meal programmes and student-managed botanical gardens across all 1,122 ZP schools.
Inspired by Manwath School Success Story
The comprehensive plan draws direct inspiration from the remarkable success of the PM-SHRI Central Primary School in Manwath, which has emerged as a benchmark for innovation and quality within the Zilla Parishad education system. This school secured the top rank in the Marathwada division under Phase III of the Mukhyamantri Majhi Shala Sundar Shala Campaign, establishing itself as a model institution worthy of replication.
The Manwath school operates in two shifts due to its enrolment of nearly 1,300 students — the highest among ZP schools across Maharashtra — and has developed into a flagship educational model. "It offers semi-English sections and hosts a PM-SHRI-aligned anganwadi, strengthening foundations in early childhood education," CEO Mathur explained during the announcement.
Comprehensive Educational Transformation
The initiative targets Parbhani district's extensive network of 1,122 ZP schools that collectively serve approximately 1,02,928 students, supported by 4,787 dedicated teachers. Among these enrolled students are 3,340 children with special needs, making inclusive, hands-on learning experiences a core administrative priority for the Zilla Parishad leadership.
The kitchen garden component represents a particularly innovative approach to nutrition and practical education. At the Manwath model school, the garden enhances the midday meal programme with fresh, home-grown produce cultivated collaboratively by students, parents, and the school management committee. Every Wednesday, supplementary nutrition items including dried dates, peanut chikki, rajgira laddoos, and biscuits are provided to students.
"In a way, this initiative gives children their first hands-on experience with organic farming," Mathur emphasized, highlighting the dual benefits of nutritional enhancement and practical agricultural education.
Beyond Gardens: Holistic Educational Approach
The campus also features a student-maintained botanical garden that serves as both an educational resource and environmental stewardship project. Additional infrastructure improvements include an upgraded computer laboratory and regular sessions ensuring a dedicated 30 minutes of daily reading for all students. A night study group, functioning from 6pm to 8pm, further promotes peer-based learning and academic support.
Academically, the school follows the Mission Foundation and Mission Diamond programmes, carefully aligned with the state's evolving CBSE-style curriculum. The outcomes have been notably impressive, with block education officer Gajanan Waghmare reporting that "sixty-four students qualified in the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) examination, one student reached the final stage of the Dr Homi Bhabha Balvaidnyanik Competition, and several others secured admission to Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya."
District-Wide Implementation Strategy
"The Manwath model demonstrates how structured planning, innovation, and community participation can fundamentally transform public education," Mathur stated with evident enthusiasm. "We are currently preparing a detailed roadmap to systematically replicate these best practices across all 2,103 ZP schools in Parbhani district, ensuring that every student benefits from these innovative approaches to learning and nutrition."
The initiative represents one of the most comprehensive educational transformation programmes undertaken in the region, combining practical agricultural experience with academic excellence and community engagement to create a holistic learning environment for thousands of students across Parbhani district.
