Mumbai-based Podar Learn School (PLS) has signed up 13 franchisees in 2020-2021 in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh states and will be setting up new schools in Ranebennur, Latur, Parbhani, Buldhana, Nasik, Solapur, Satara and Chhindwara.
With these 13 new franchisees on board, the initiative now has a network of 32 schools across the country. The geographical spread of this network is predominantly in Tier 2 cities, small towns, and semi-rural areas, reflecting the initiative’s endeavour to make quality education accessible to children at the grassroots level..
Harsh Podar, Director, Podar Education Network said, “Keeping in mind that the vast majority of Indians live beyond the select Tier-1 and metropolitan cities, the Podar Group of Schools have specifically aimed this initiative for the small towns of India thereby standardising and raising quality of education.”
Speaking about Podar Learn School and the overall franchisee experience, Dhiraj Baheti, Rajasthani’s Podar Learn School, Parli, Beed said, “It’s a matter of immense pride to be associated with Podar Group of Schools through this novel initiative. Our children will benefit tremendously from Podar’s experience of almost 100 years in the education sector. Be it training, ideation or any challenge that we face, the feedback and support is prompt. We have been able to secure 400 plus admissions in the first year of operations itself, with minimal advertising due to the sheer impact of the brand Podar.”
The PLS initiative started in 2016, is based on a franchise model under which deserving individuals with a passion for education can open a CBSE/ICSE school in their location. This is an opportunity for them to realise their passion and give back to the society while generating revenue for themselves. The Podar Education Network (PEN) provides them with complete support, both academic and non-academic, in establishing and running the school, and also assigns a mentor school to oversee and guide the effort. The initial investment required is INR 2.5 crores and at least 1.5 acres of land. One of the biggest advantages of PLS is the mentor school concept. Since the Podar International School’s reach is so wide (135 schools), each Podar Learn School is given an existing Podar International School as a mentor School.
