When eight children walked into a rented room in Dehu Road, Pune in 1990 to be greeted by two dedicated teachers, little did they know that in just five years their school would be transformed into a modern, purpose-built camp thanks to the vision of Dehu Road Lions Club, District 3234-D2.
Determined to provide quality English education, club members pooled resources to purchase a 6-guntha plot, and when Shri Narayan Gaikwad added his gift of 5 gunthas, the school found its permanent home. Today, more than 1,100 students fill the classrooms of the Lions Club School. 600+ students study in the primary sections and 500+ in the higher secondary and junior college.
Despite relying solely on tuition fees – a nominal ₹1,000 per month – the school has consistently maintained a high standard of education, from nursery through grade 12. The results speak for themselves – the school has achieved nearly 100% pass rates in both SSC and HSC examinations for the past 15 years. In addition to its academic excellence, the school lays great emphasis on extra curricular activities, including karate, music and Mallakhamba (a traditional Indian sport). Vocational courses such as mobile phone and two-wheeler repair equip students with practical skills.
Notable Alumni: Making a Difference
The success of the institution is reflected in the achievements of its alumni, many of whom have gone on to excel in various fields and make significant contributions to society. These include:
- Shri Vishal Khandelwal - Corporate Member of the Dehu Road Cantonment Board
- Mrs. Suvarna Sitaraman - Junior Officer at the State Bank of India
- Shri Rohit Goyal - Practicing advocate with an LLB degree
- Shri Mohit Goyal - BHMS-qualified doctor.
Three decades later, the rented room has been replaced by a thriving campus and those eight students have multiplied into thousands, each carrying forward the Lions Club’s vision of accessible education for all.