Only 3 Sandipani campuses ready; kids ‘adjusted’ to poorer conditions

Bhopal:Delayed construction at the ambitious Sandipani schools project in Bhopal has left more than 10,000 enrolled students in limbo, with only three of the planned eight campuses ready for use as the new academic year has recently started.

Enrolled students of these schools have been adjusted to nearby schools which are already in poor conditions.The state government had promised that the Sandipani schools—marketed as state-run institutions offering facilities on par with private schools—would start academic sessions in 2026. However, slow progress on construction has pushed that timeline off course, forcing thousands of children to seek alternative schooling and prompting concern among parents and local educators.Officials said the Sandipani project was intended to expand access to quality education through modern infrastructure, well-equipped classrooms, and enhanced extracurricular facilities. But on-site inspections and statements from local authorities reveal that five campuses remain incomplete, with construction work lagging due to administrative delays, procurement issues and contractor-related setbacks.

“The government’s assurances created high expectations,” said a parent whose two children were enrolled in one of the affected schools. “Now we are scrambling to find seats for them elsewhere. It is disruptive to their studies and stressful for families.”Several parents told TOI they had accepted the Sandipani admissions believing the new schools would offer a stable, improved learning environment; many have since been forced to place their children in private or municipal schools at short notice.Education department officials acknowledged the delays but attributed them to unforeseen logistical challenges and the need to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards. “It is true that session were supposed to be started from this year. We are expediting work and prioritising completion of the remaining campuses,” said district education officer NK Ahirwar, adding that temporary arrangements have been made to accommodate students.

Details on interim solutions and revised opening dates, however, remain vague.Teachers and administrators expressed concern that the disruption could widen educational inequities. “Students expecting a fresh start in purpose-built schools are instead facing discontinuity,” said a senior teaching faculty. “Those from low-income families are most affected because they lack the flexibility to shift between schools easily.”Senior teaching faculty and students have criticized the government’s execution of the project, calling for greater transparency around timelines and contract management. They are demanding an urgent action plan that includes clear completion schedules, interim academic arrangements on affected sites, and compensation or support for families who have incurred extra costs.As the scheduled 2026 have begun, pressure is mounting on state authorities to deliver prompt, concrete measures. For now, the promise of Sandipani’s high-quality, inclusive schooling remains partly unfulfilled, leaving thousands of students and their families to cope with uncertainty.