Educate Girls Celebrates 18 Years of Impact, Honours Pragati Learners at Convocation Ceremony
Barwani, Madhya Pradesh, Mar 13: Educate Girls marked its 18th Foundation Day in Barwani by celebrating the achievements of learners who successfully passed their Class 10 examinations through the Madhya Pradesh State Open School (MPSOS) and recognising the dedication of its grassroots network of community mentors (Preraks) and volunteers (Team Balika). The event brought together government representatives, partners, volunteers, and learners to celebrate nearly two decades of advancing girls’ education in rural and educationally underserved communities.
The ceremony honoured learners who completed their Class 10 examinations, many of whom returned to education after years away from school. Certificates were awarded in recognition of their achievements, while interactive sessions highlighted powerful stories of resilience and determination shared by learners, Preraks, and Team Balika volunteers.
Speaking at the event, Kajal Jawla, IAS, Collector, Zilla Panchayat, encouraged families to prioritise girls’ education. “People often ask, ‘What will a girl achieve by studying—will she become a Collector?’ My answer is simple—why not? I come from a farmer’s family, and despite limited resources, my parents ensured we had the opportunity to study. With their belief and the support of society, I was able to fulfil my dream of becoming a Collector. I urge all parents to educate their daughters and give them the opportunity to pursue their dreams. An educated daughter can transform not only her own life but the future of society,” she said.
Congratulating the organisation, Padma Vilochan Shukla, IPS, highlighted the importance of education in regions affected by migration. “My heartfelt congratulations to Educate Girls for the remarkable work you are doing. Having worked in tribal regions such as Jhabua, I have seen how migration often forces many children to leave school and travel with their parents for labour. It is important that we continue to encourage children to stay in school and pursue their education. When children succeed through education, they bring pride to their families, their state, and the nation,” he said.
Celebrating ‘Second-Chance’ Success through Pragati
A key highlight of the event was the recognition of learners who passed the Class 10 examinations through Pragati, Educate Girls’ second-chance education program. It is India’s largest second-chance learning initiative for learners aged 15–29 who have dropped out due to societal and systemic barriers. Through village-based learning camps, the program strengthens academic competencies while also building life skills and confidence, enabling participants to complete their Grade 10 certification through State Open Schools.
This year, more than 6,000 learners have been enrolled for their Class 10 examinations. Since 2017, Educate Girls’ Vidya program has supported over four lakh girls and young women to enrol in secondary education, while Pragati, launched last year, is expanding access to second-chance learning opportunities for those who had previously dropped out.
The event was attended by 21 learners, 26 Preraks, and 20 Team Balika volunteers, along with partners and community members. Many of the learners recognised during the ceremony have overcome barriers such as restrictive social norms, household responsibilities, and long gaps in education. For several of them, it was the first public recognition of their achievements, inspiring other girls in their villages to return to education.
The program also featured a panel discussion moderated by Vikram Solanki, Director – Operations, where learners, Team Balika volunteers, and Preraks shared their experiences of returning to education. Participants also witnessed an interactive demonstration of Educate Girls’ remedial learning tools designed to help learners successfully re-enter and thrive within the education system.
Gayatri Nair Lobo, CEO of Educate Girls, reflected on the organisation’s journey and the role of community support in driving change. She said, “Eighteen years ago, we began with a simple belief—that every girl deserves the opportunity to learn. Today, with the dedication of our Team Balika volunteers and Preraks, millions of girls and thousands of young women have been able to return to education and continue their learning journeys. Behind every exam result is a story of courage and determination. Our focus is on bringing girls back to education and ensuring they thrive, gain confidence, and become drivers of change.”
Emphasising the importance of sustaining children’s education, Ram Kumar Vaidya, Assistant Director, Madhya Pradesh State Open School, added, “Enrolling children in school is only the first step; we must also support them to continue learning. Migration often disrupts children’s education and forces many to drop out. When daughters succeed through education, their achievements bring pride not only to their families but to the entire community. We must all work together to ensure education for every child,” he said.
Educate Girls
Educate Girls is an award-winning non-profit working to ensure that every girl in India’s rural and educationally marginalised communities has access to quality education. In 2025, Educate Girls became the first Indian organisation to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award, Asia’s highest honour.
Since 2007, Educate Girls have partnered with state governments and local communities to identify out-of-school girls, support their enrolment and retention, and strengthen foundational learning for children. Where formal schooling was not an option, our second-chance program helped adolescent girls and young women complete their Grade 10 and 12 education while building life skills and agency.
With a network of more than 55,000 community volunteers, Educate Girls has mobilised the enrolment of enrolled over 20 lakhs girls and improved learning outcomes for over 24 lakhs children across 30,000 villages in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. By 2035, our vision is to empower 10 million learners.
