Mandi Ahmadiya School

Our school sits on Lane No 3 in Sudarshannagar, over in the Pimple Gurav area of Pune. Mandi Ahmadiya School is a small spot compared to the big private institutions you see around the city. It’s situated right in the middle of a residential block, so we have houses all around us. You can hear the neighbors going about their business while the students are in their classes. It's a bit cramped sometimes, especially when parents come to pick up their kids in the afternoon, but we make it work. The building itself is plain and we try to keep it tidy, though with so many children coming in and out, there's always a bit of dust or a stray pencil on the floor. We don't have a giant playground, but there's enough room for everyone to gather for the morning assembly. The teachers here have been around for years and they know most of the parents by name. It’s the kind of place where you can just stop by the office and have a quick word without making a big appointment. Things move at a steady pace. We focus on the basic subjects and try to keep the kids focused on their exams. Sometimes the electricity goes out and we have to open all the windows, but that’s just part of life here. It’s a humble place, but it serves the families living in this part of Pune just fine.