Teachers' Day 2026: 9 Pioneers Who Advanced Education in India

India celebrates Teachers' Day on September 5, marking the birthday of the late philosopher and former President of India, Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Beyond him, several other figures in India's education history broke established social barriers to extend education to wider parts of society, from Savitribai and Jyotirao Phule's efforts to educate girls in 19th-century Maharashtra to Begum Rokeya's work promoting education for Muslim girls, with their efforts linking education to empowerment.

1. Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule

Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule were among those who pioneered girls' education and education for marginalised communities in 19th-century India. The couple founded an institution for girls' education in Bhide Wada, Pune, in 1848, with Savitribai Phule becoming one of India's first female teachers in the modern era. The Phules established several schools in and around Pune, aiming to bring education to communities that faced social discrimination on the basis of caste or gender, and also organised night schools to widen access to education beyond traditional school hours.

2. Fatima Sheikh

Fatima Sheikh was an early Muslim woman educator who worked alongside Savitribai Phule as part of the Phules' educational movement, teaching children from socially discriminated communities. Her contribution is significant because she was involved in the movement for women's education at a time when girls faced difficulties getting educated due to their disadvantaged status.

3. Sethu Lakshmi Bayi

Sethu Lakshmi Bayi, the last Maharani to reign in Travancore, promoted women's education and their involvement in social affairs, with women's educational prospects increasing during her regency. Her government also supported women's prospects in further education and in working in the public sector, highlighting how institutional measures complemented other reforms.

4. Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a well-known philosopher, professor and educationist, contributed significantly to India's academic world, teaching philosophy at Madras Presidency College, the University of Mysore and the University of Calcutta. He served as India's Vice-President between 1952 and 1962 and as President between 1962 and 1967, and his contributions are remembered through the celebration of Teachers' Day on September 5.

5. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, a celebrated scientist and India's 11th President, remained close to students throughout his life and resumed teaching after completing his tenure as President. He inspired students to pursue scientific thinking and set high targets for their own development, and his birthday, October 15, is celebrated as World Students' Day.

6. Gopal Krishna Gokhale

Gopal Krishna Gokhale, an important nationalist, social reformer and educationist, was associated with Fergusson College, Pune, and founded the Servants of India Society in 1905. He held that education was necessary for social development, and in 1911 introduced a bill in the Imperial Legislative Council to make primary education mandatory.

7. Sarala Devi Chaudhurani

Sarala Devi Chaudhurani, a nationalist, social reformer and significant supporter of women's education, formed the Bharat Stree Mahamandal in 1910 to foster the cause of women's education and development. She also formed educational institutions for girls and worked to provide opportunities to women from different social sections, as part of the broader movement for women's empowerment during the colonial era.

8. Madan Mohan Malaviya

Madan Mohan Malaviya, an educationist, social reformer and nationalist leader, made a significant contribution towards the formation of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in 1916, which became one of India's most prominent institutions of higher education. He considered education a significant tool of nation-building and also supported increased educational opportunities for women.

9. Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain

Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain is considered one of the early proponents of Muslim women's education in Bengal. She started a school for Muslim girls in Bhagalpur in 1909, followed by the establishment of the Sakhawat Memorial Girls' School in Calcutta in 1911, defying conservative views on women's education and asserting that education was necessary for women to stand on their own feet and be financially independent.