The Mentorship Movement: Pune’s Unsung Heroes Guiding Students Beyond Classrooms

Across Pune, a quiet revolution is taking place after school hours. While the city is known for its top schools and education hubs, a new wave of mentors, psychologists, and counsellors are helping students grow beyond academics. This is the mentorship movement — a powerful shift toward holistic development, emotional wellbeing, and career readiness.

Why Mentorship Matters More Than Ever

Students today face challenges their parents never did — constant competition, digital distractions, and uncertainty about careers. While schools focus on academics, mentorship bridges the gap between education and personal growth. Mentors help students:

• Discover their strengths, interests, and potential career paths
• Develop emotional resilience and communication skills
• Build confidence to face board exams and life transitions
• Learn time management, goal setting, and decision making
• Overcome anxiety, peer pressure, and low self-esteem

Pune’s Growing Mentorship Culture

Pune, often called the “Oxford of the East,” has long been home to the best international schools in Pune with career counseling support. But what is truly remarkable is how local educators, psychologists, and counsellors are creating impact beyond the school gates.

1. Community Learning Circles

In neighborhoods like Kothrud, Aundh, and Magarpatta, small mentorship circles have emerged. These are safe spaces where students meet mentors every weekend to discuss goal setting, emotional health, and academic habits. Many of these sessions are led by volunteer counsellors and retired teachers who guide students selflessly.

2. Psychologists as Life Mentors

Pune’s new generation of child psychologists are redefining mental health for teens. Instead of one time counselling, they focus on continuous mentoring — helping students identify patterns in behavior, handle exam stress, and build social confidence. For instance, counselors at Mind Matters Clinic Pune run mentorship programs that combine therapy and goal coaching for holistic development.

3. After School Leadership Programs

Several independent educators in Pune now offer leadership bootcamps and personality development clubs for students from Grades 8 to 10. These programs help teens explore skills like public speaking, design thinking, entrepreneurship, and collaboration. Institutes such as FLAME University often collaborate with local schools to host youth mentorship events that prepare students for real world challenges.

Mentors Who Are Changing Lives

Let us spotlight a few remarkable mentors shaping young futures in Pune:

• Dr. Radhika Joshi – A child psychologist who works with multiple schools in Baner and helps teens overcome exam anxiety through emotional intelligence workshops.
• Aniket Deshmukh – A soft skills mentor who runs weekend sessions on communication and leadership for students preparing for higher education.
• Smita Chavan – A career counsellor who collaborates with educators to guide students in identifying career paths through aptitude assessments and AI-based guidance tools.
• Team MentorQuest – A Pune-based non-profit initiative that connects underprivileged students with university mentors for career readiness and confidence building.

Schools Supporting Mentorship Programs

Some of the best schools in Pune for holistic development are now integrating mentorship into their co-curricular framework. Schools such as The Bishop’s, MIT Vishwashanti Gurukul, and Vibgyor High have introduced after school programs where students receive guidance from professionals in fields like psychology, design, and entrepreneurship. These collaborations ensure that learning continues beyond classrooms.

How Mentorship Builds Emotional and Career Resilience

Every student has a story, and mentors help shape that story with empathy and experience. Beyond academics, mentorship programs empower students to:

• Express thoughts freely without judgment
• Understand their emotions and manage stress
• Develop critical thinking and real world problem solving
• Gain exposure to diverse career opportunities early on
• Balance ambition with mental well-being

How Parents Can Support the Mentorship Movement

Parents can make a big difference by encouraging their children to seek guidance outside of traditional academics. Here are some ways parents can help:

1. Normalize Mentorship: Let students see mentorship as a strength, not a sign of weakness.
2. Encourage Participation: Enroll children in mentorship programs, leadership clubs, or emotional intelligence workshops.
3. Stay Involved: Attend parent-mentor meetings to understand your child’s progress.
4. Focus on Growth: Appreciate effort, creativity, and self-awareness instead of only grades.

The Role of Technology in Mentorship

With digital learning on the rise, technology has amplified mentorship opportunities. Platforms now connect students with mentors across the globe through video sessions, chat, and AI-driven feedback. For example, UNICEF’s mentorship initiatives and local EdTech startups in Pune are enabling personalized guidance that blends psychology with technology. These hybrid models ensure that every student has access to mentors, regardless of their school or background.

Bridging the Gap Between Schools and Mentors

The collaboration between schools and independent mentors is transforming education in Pune. Many institutions now host career exploration fairs, psychology workshops, and student success seminars to provide exposure beyond textbooks. Mentorship is no longer an optional support system; it is a fundamental part of preparing students for life beyond school.

Looking Ahead: Building a Culture of Mentorship

The future of education in Pune lies not only in academic excellence but in nurturing self-aware, emotionally intelligent, and confident students. The mentorship movement is slowly becoming a community effort where educators, parents, counsellors, and organizations collaborate to create a network of lifelong learning. As Pune leads this transformation, other cities can learn from its commitment to empowering students through mentorship.

Final Thoughts

The real heroes of Pune’s education story are not always in classrooms. They are the mentors who listen, guide, and believe in every student’s potential. The mentorship movement is more than a trend — it is a promise to help the next generation grow with clarity, compassion, and confidence.