“No teacher is ordinary; every teacher is special.” 

This truth shines brightly through the journey of Mr. Prajapati Dinesh Kumar, a remarkable Mathematics teacher from Gujarat and among the top 10 teachers recognised nationally during the Vidya Amrit Mahotsav (VAM) festival.       

In an industrial area in Gujarat, in about 6,000 slums, thousands of families face harsh living conditions. Over here survival often takes priority over other essentials of life, including education. Many parents are forced to choose between sending their children to school or to work. Historically, it has led to widespread child labour and consequently,  to low school enrollment and high dropout rates across the system — and many lost opportunities for higher education and a life out of poverty. 

Yet, even in such challenging environments, educators like Mr. Kumar emerge as beacons of hope, working tirelessly to ensure that children have a chance to learn and dream beyond their circumstances. When Prajapati Dinesh Kumar arrived in this difficult environment, he was determined to break the cycle of missed opportunities. He started by getting to know the community, listening deeply to parents, understanding their struggles, and connecting with local leaders. Kumar found that concerns like financial insecurity and a lack of awareness about the impact of education with the parents, kept children out of school.

Kumar then started introducing micro-improvements by engaging the community. With children often having to travel long distances, he knew that before making any changes inside the classroom, he had to tackle the enrolment first: getting students to attend school regularly. Parents were initially hesitant to send their children to school, so Kumar launched awareness campaigns, stressing the importance of education. His efforts gradually shifted perceptions, leading to higher than before enrollment.

He rallied parents, teachers, and local groups, initiating a series of micro-improvements. They organised donations to provide SMART TVs for interactive learning and uniforms to promote inclusivity. A temple was even built on the school grounds to foster a sense of belonging and pride. Kumar’s dedication extended beyond academics. He challenged societal norms by encouraging physically disabled children to enrol in school, inspiring them to envision and strive for independent futures. His widespread efforts—from changing community perceptions to inclusive practices—created an environment where students could truly thrive.

As a result, more students began attending school regularly, and classroom engagement improved. However, Kumar noticed that despite these strides, something was still missing—students were present, but their curiosity and enthusiasm for learning hadn’t fully sparked. It was during the Vidya Amrit Mahotsav (VAM) that this gap became clear. Kumar realised that traditional teaching methods were falling short in an environment where many students struggled to connect their lessons to real-life challenges.

To bridge this gap, he introduced an innovative, activity-based learning approach, designed to make education more practical and relevant. Through this, he also aimed to help students see the value of their lessons in everyday life, ensuring that their learning experience was not only engaging but also relevant. As part of this effort, students were asked to compile a list of classroom items to learn about weights and measures. To reinforce the concept, they visited local shops and compared weights using precision scales. This hands-on experience made learning tangible and engaging, helping students connect the material to real-world applications. The results were remarkable—98% of the students developed a solid understanding of the concept, showing the impact of this practical approach.

Today, these children not only attend school but actively engage in learning, reflecting the positive impact of Kumar’s leadership and community collaboration.