History

1980 - The Beginning of Ekal Vidyalaya

In the early 1980s, Dr. Rakesh Popli, a professor of nuclear physics at IIT Kanpur, and his wife, Rama Popli, a primary education specialist, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s teaching that advancing the nation is the noblest work, left positions to improve conditions in rural India. While visiting rural areas in the Gumla District (now in Jharkhand), they recognized that education was the most effective means of transforming rural development.

1986 - The First Ekal School

Incorporating a holistic syllabus of math, science, language, creative arts, and physical education, the first Ekal school was established in 1986, with Rama Popli as its teacher.

1986 to 1989 - Growth and Expansion

Ekal was the only educational option for children in remote villages, as government schools were either nonexistent or inaccessible. The initiative tackled challenges such as poverty, gender disparities, and lack of awareness about education. Schools were scheduled in the afternoons to accommodate household responsibilities, and families were encouraged to spread awareness about Ekal’s mission.

In 1986, Madanlal Agarwal, a coal mine owner, funded 60 Ekal schools in Dhanbad, Jharkhand, enabling children to attend school cost-free for three years.

1989 - The Leadership of Shyamji Gupta

In 1989, Shyamji Gupta, a passionate social activist, joined Ekal and played a pivotal role in expanding its reach to neighboring states. The Ekal model was adapted to overcome linguistic and geographical barriers, with schools grouped into clusters of 30, each managed by a volunteer to ensure efficiency and teacher collaboration.

2000 - 2023 - Scaling to 80,000 Schools

Ekal’s expansion was driven by three key teams:

• Curriculum Development: Led by the Poplis.
• Fundraising: Led by Agarwal.
• School Performance Monitoring: Led by Gupta.

By 2000, Ekal had grown to 5,000 schools. To expand further, Ekal USA was established in 2001 by Ramesh Shah. With support from 70 chapters across the US, Ekal successfully reached 80,000 schools.

Work

1. Education - Primary Schools

Ekal provides literacy and economic opportunities to over 10 million students in 80,000 villages. Education significantly accelerates the process of lifting families out of poverty, especially for girls, who benefit from delayed marriage, smaller families, and a commitment to children’s education. Ekal’s single-teacher school model has led to unprecedented long-term impact.

2. Digital Education

• E-Shiksha/E-Education: Integrating tablets into the curriculum for digital learning.
• Ekal on Wheels: A mobile digital literacy initiative bringing technology to villages.
• Computer Training Labs: Providing rural youth with practical computer skills to enhance employability.

3. Healthcare

• Telemedicine/Eyecare/Preventive Medicine: Providing accessible and affordable healthcare.
• Disaster/Pandemic Relief: Supporting communities during crises.
• Home Nutrition Gardens: Encouraging self-sufficient nutrition in rural households.

4. Livelihoods

Ekal ensures that education links to high school and job creation within rural ecosystems, reducing urban migration and strengthening village economies.

• Gramothan Centers: Resource hubs providing skills training and market linkages.
• Sustainable Agriculture: Training farmers in organic farming techniques for higher yields.
• Handicrafts and Artisanal Development: Promoting rural entrepreneurship in carpentry, pottery, and handicrafts.
• Micro-Entrepreneurship: A self-sustaining model supporting skilled village entrepreneurs.
• Tailoring Training: Empowering women with micro-entrepreneurship skills.

5. Women's Empowerment

• Tailoring Training: Equipping women with skills to generate independent incomes.
• Healthcare Workers (TEA Program): Training women as community health workers to bridge healthcare gaps.
• Teacher Training: Sourcing local talent to improve engagement and provide local employment.

6. Integrated Village Development

Ekal is transitioning towards holistic rural development beyond primary education, integrating adult literacy, healthcare, access to markets, and decision-making skills.

• Integrated Villages Program: Establishing self-sustainable villages by adopting 30 villages within a geographical cluster.
• Hub and Spoke Model: 13 Community Resource Centers serve 50,000 people in 100 villages, supporting over 1 million individuals.
• Education, Healthcare & Livelihoods: Building rural innovation ecosystems for sustainable progress.