In a unique initiative to curb junk food consumption among children, a primary school in Kolhapur district has introduced a student-managed bank that encourages saving over snacking. The 'Bank of Tirpan' was launched in September 2025 at Vidyamandir Prathamik Shala in Panhala tehsil, and has already pooled Rs 38,000 in deposits from students.
The idea originated from teacher Chetan Shinde's observation that children were spending small amounts daily on packaged salty snacks from nearby shops, often leaving their homemade tiffins untouched. "Children were spending Rs 10 a day, sometimes Rs 50, on junk food. They would snack during breaks and take their tiffins back home unfinished," Shinde said.
The bank operates on Saturdays for a few hours using internet-enabled tablets. Students deposit pocket money given by parents, open accounts, and receive confirmation messages on their parents' mobile phones, mimicking real banking procedures. The motto 'Small Savings, Big Dreams' aims to make saving tangible and exciting.
Beyond reducing junk food consumption, the initiative serves as a practical financial education tool. Students learn concepts like debit, credit, interest calculation, and the importance of cutting unnecessary expenses. Mathematics teachers guide them through every step and encourage them to persuade classmates to adopt saving habits.
Class VII student Vignesh Patil shared his dream: "I like reading books. With the money I save, I want to build a small library at home, lend books to others, earn some money and enjoy reading different books."
The school, with around 350 students from Classes I to VII, integrates financial education into daily learning. Students have also organized a food festival and a vegetable market by borrowing money from parents, reinvesting the profits into the bank.
Teachers report that students have become more mindful about food, spending, and long-term planning. "After saving and expecting good returns, the students plan to use the money more effectively," Shinde added.
Although the school is currently closed for summer vacation, plans are underway for the bank to reopen, with students aiming to save more, invest smarter, and grow their corpus.
