9 Education Pioneers in India: Honouring Teachers’ Day Heroes

Everyone reminisces about their school days. More often than not, it is about that one teacher who improved their lives and whose impact transcended the classroom walls. Whether they made you stronger, gave you a stage to showcase your talents, or believed in you when no one else did, they left a dent in your memory. 
Likewise, history has seen many Indian educationists who have brought revolutionary change in the system through their work and shaped the great Indians we know today.
Here’s a glimpse of nine such Indian educationists. 
1. Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule 

Jyotirao Phule (L) and Savitribai Phule established the first school for girls in India, Picture source: The Dalit Voice
Trailblazers in girl child right to education, this husband-wife duo went on to open the first school for girls in India in 1848. Savitribai is credited with being the first female teacher in India. The school made headlines when, on the very first day, nine girls from different social backgrounds enrolled, setting a precedent for the phenomenal work the couple would go on to do. 
Not taking a minute to rest on these laurels, the duo opened more schools in and around Pune between 1848 and 1852. They were intent on ensuring that children from Dalit communities be given preference at these schools. Eventually, night schools were also established. 
Along with education, the duo set their sights on marginalised communities in India and the welfare of pregnant widows. The latter were cared for at a centre that Jyotirao opened in his own home. 
2. Fatima Sheikh

Fatima Sheikh was Savitribai’s right hand and took care of the school in the former’s absence
While Jyotirao and Savitribai’s contributions to Indian education are widely acclaimed, here’s the story of the woman who played a significant role in the cause. Fatima Sheikh was the first Muslim woman teacher in the Indian subcontinent. Her role as a social reformer revolved around providing education to women and children neglected by society. 
She served as Savitribai’s right hand, according to biographer Reeta Ramamoorthy Gupta. 
Fatima was Savitri’s adjutant and took over as headmistress of the school when Savitri was unwell or had to go canvassing for more girls to attend school.
3. Sethu Lakshmi Bayi 

An interesting anecdote that often accompanies the mention of Sethu Lakshmi Bayi — the last ruling queen of Travancore — is how she would invite college-going girls to join her at her palace for tea. This incentive worked well and pushed many young girls to pursue higher studies, it is said. 
Her endeavours to see women reach the pinnacles of success did not stop there. During her reign, she ensured that women serving in local positions were promoted to be part of the government machinery. This enabled them to have a say in the policy framework. 
Intent on women having a diverse curriculum to explore, in 1927, the monarch opened up the study of law to female students and even ordered the Women’s College in Trivandrum to start classes on history, natural science, languages, and mathematics.
4. Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Teacher’s Day is celebrated to commemorate the birthday of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Picture source: Official portrait
Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s role as the second President of India (1962-1967) is well known, but it is his distinguished career as an Indian educationist that we are celebrating today. His work has undoubtedly left an indelible impact on the country’s educational and political landscape. In fact, Teacher’s Day commemorates his birthday and honours the contributions of teachers to society. 
He was a firm believer in the right to education in India and that the principles of education are transformative tools for society. During his lifetime, Radhakrishnan served on various academic boards — the department of philosophy at Madras Presidency College (1909), as a professor of philosophy at the University of Mysore (1918) and as a professor of philosophy at the University of Calcutta (1921). 
His lectures reached the daises of Harvard University, Oxford University, and Manchester College. In 1931, he was knighted by George V for his services to education.
5. A P J Abdul Kalam 

A P J Abdul Kalam left an imprint on the Indian education landscape, Picture source: APJ Abdul Kalam
It is impossible to recall the greatest educators of our times without an ode to former President A P J Abdul Kalam, who left such an imprint on the Indian education landscape that his birthday, 15 October, is commemorated as World Students’ Day. 
The multi-hyphenate’s career saw him play the role of a scientist, a leader, a teacher, and an engineer. But his love for teaching shone through all the other professions. He was so passionate about it that he returned to teaching after concluding his term as the 11th President of India. 
Whether it was answering students’ questions with wit and honesty, encouraging them to pursue their dreams, or emphasising the importance of being grounded, Kalam was a teacher at his core. 
He always emphasised, “If you fail, never give up because F A I L means ‘First Attempt In Learning’. End is not the end; in fact, E N D means ‘Effort Never Dies.’”
6. Gopal Krishna Gokhale 

Gopal Krishna Gokhale was the first Indian to complete graduation, Picture source: INC
Gokhale’s accomplishment as the first Indian to complete graduation is well known. The freedom fighter is not applauded just for his academic prowess but also for imparting wisdom to others. 
Following graduation, Gokhale moved to Pune, where he worked at a school, followed by a stint at Fergusson College, where he taught history and political economy.
He is lauded for his diction and mastery of English at a time when not many were fluent in the language. He presented his ideologies against the British reign through public speeches and articles. Gokhale’s iconic career was built upon serving Indians, irrespective of background through the schools, libraries and classes started under his ‘Servants of India Society’ founded in 1905.
He was a strong advocate for the right to education and compulsory education and prepared a bill on 16 March, 1911, suggesting to the government that primary education should be provided to girls and boys up to the age group of 6 to 10. 
7. Sarla Devi Chaudhurani 

Sarla Devi Chaudhurani started the ‘Bharat Stree Mahamandal’, which promoted female education, Picture source: Wikipedia
One of the most famous educationists, Chaudhurani was related to the Tagore Family; her parents were prolific writers. She is described by history as a feminist, an advocate for female education, a political activist, and a pioneer of the organisation ‘Bharat Stree Mahamandal’, which promoted female education. 
Membership was open to any woman, regardless of caste, race, or class, with an entry fee of just one rupee! Chaudhurani also started ‘Bharat Stree Shiksa Sadan’ – a school for girls in Calcutta. 
Pursuing higher studies was encouraged in the family and Chaudhurani was one of the few women graduates of her time. She received the Padmavati Gold Medal for her excellence. However, her prowess wasn’t limited to academic subjects. She was also fluent in Persian, French, and Sanskrit and excelled in literature, music, and arts from a very early stage. 
8. Madan Mohan Malviya

A prominent educationist and social reformer, Madan Mohan Malaviya believed that education is the key to economic progress. He exemplified this through his work towards propagating education and setting up institutes. 
Malviya was instrumental in establishing the Banaras Hindu University (BHU), which prided itself on traditional Indian knowledge systems, where students, irrespective of caste and background, could come together and learn. 
Following the setting up of Banaras Hindu University, Malviya announced the establishment of the women’s college of the University in 1929. He was firm in his resolve to empower women using education as a tool and saw women as influencers of future generations. His efforts brought about revolutionary changes in education.
9. Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain 

Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain fought odds to encourage Muslim girls to attend school.
Hossain was born at a time when the view around women in education was conservative. While Hossain’s brothers were encouraged to study, Hossain and her sister weren’t. But despite these setbacks, she wasn’t ready to give up just yet. 
Believing that Muslim women — who were being neglected at the time — could be empowered through education and economic independence, Hossain started a school for Muslim girls at Bhagalpur with only five students in 1909. 
When she moved to Calcutta she set up Sakhawat Memorial Girls’ School in a house in 1911 with eight students. In 1931, the school was upgraded to High English Girls’ School. Though aware of the backlash that awaited her, Hossain wasn’t one to be deterred. 
She fought the odds to encourage Muslim girls to attend school, persuading parents that education was good for girls and even arranging horse carriages for them to be ferried to and from school while they observed purdah (a religious practice of screening women from strangers).
Edited by Khushi Arora
Sources 
The forgotten story of Fatima Sheikh, Savitribai Phule’s friend who helped set up India’s first girls’ school in Pune by Devanshi Srivastava, Published on 11 January 2024.
Sarala Devi Chaudhurani: Founder Of India’s First Women’s Organisation by Nazo Shinwari, Published on 7 November 2017.