Pune: Education Dept Cancels Recognition of 10 Sinhgad Schools Over Unpaid Salaries of Teachers
Pune, 7th November 2026: The education department has ordered the cancellation of recognition of 10 schools run by the Sinhgad Technical Education Society in Pune after teachers went on a teaching boycott over non-payment of salaries for the past 18 months, disrupting academic activities and affecting students’ education.
The order, issued by deputy director of education Machhindranath Kadam, covers six secondary and four primary schools. The department took the action after finding that the management had failed to clear the salary arrears despite repeated directions and warnings.
According to the order, salaries of teaching and non-teaching staff at the schools have remained unpaid for 18 months. Frustrated by the delay, teachers had stopped teaching until their dues were cleared, bringing regular academic activities to a standstill. During the hearing, the department also took note of the adverse impact on students.
The management had been directed to clear all pending and regular salaries by June 29, 2026. However, it failed to comply, prompting the department to cancel the schools’ recognition under Rules 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 of the Secondary School Code.
The six secondary schools affected are Sinhgad College of Arts, Commerce and Science in Narhe, Ambegaon and Kondhwa; Sinhgad Public School in Khusgaon; and RMD Springdale Secondary School in Warje and Karvenagar-Erandwane.
The four primary schools are Sinhgad Springdale School in Ambegaon, Sinhgad Springdale Public School in Vadgaon, Sinhgad City School in Kondhwa and RMD Sinhgad Springdale School in Warje.
During the hearing, the society cited financial difficulties, claiming that the government had not released substantial dues towards reimbursement under the Right to Education (RTE) Act. It also said the implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission had significantly increased salary expenditure, while parents were not paying the full fees on time. The management argued that it would be able to clear the teachers’ dues once the pending RTE reimbursement was received.
However, the education department rejected the explanation, citing the prolonged non-payment of salaries and the failure to take corrective measures despite repeated notices.
To prevent disruption to students’ education, education officials have been directed to arrange their gradual transfer to nearby recognised schools. The cancellation orders will come into effect from May 1, 2027, corresponding to the 2027-28 academic year, allowing students to complete the ongoing academic year without interruption.
The society has also been given 30 days from the receipt of the order to challenge the decision before the director of education.
