Malti S Fathangare, Guruprasad English Medium School, Nashik, Maharashtra
Transitioning from being a teacher to owning a successful school might seem as an ambitious dream, yet Malti S Fathangare made it happen. In Girnare, a small village around 20 km from Nashik city, she confronted challenges head-on, assembled a great team, and created a special educational program for the benefit of the local children. In this interview, Malti shares important advice to inspire others who dream of owning successful schools. “Moving from teaching to starting a business had its own difficulties, but the rewards have been nothing short of remarkable,” reflects Malti. Her story is all about staying strong and achieving success despite the challenges.
Sacrifices of a Leader
Malti embarked on her educational journey during her first year of graduation, where her dedication to teaching and utilization of creative and innovative teaching methods led to her success as a teacher. Having taught in prominent schools in Nashik City, her father and a colleague recognized her innovative teaching approaches and encouraged her to open a school in a rural area. Malti shares, “My father was always an inspiration for me; he emphasized our responsibility to contribute positively to society.” Motivated by her father’s contagious spirit, she decided to establish a school in Girnare in 2010.
Her commitment to providing affordable education to rural students led her to make numerous sacrifices, including a daily commute of 75 kilometers to her school. She devoted endless hours, work often extending late into the evenings and weekends.
Despite these sacrifices, she asserts that it has all been worthwhile because she recognizes the positive impact she is making in her students’ lives. Her passion lies in offering them an excellent education, envisioning them as successful citizens in the future. Her ultimate goal is to witness all her students succeed in life and become compassionate individuals, and she is determined to do whatever it takes to achieve that.
Malti stresses, “I’m dedicated because I really want to see my students do well and make positive contributions to society. Their success is what truly matters to me.”
Read More: Quality Education, Empowered Teachers, Engaged Parents: This School Leader’s Winning Formula
Facing Challenges
Malti expresses, “At the beginning of the school, making people understand the importance of education was really hard. Despite offering affordable fees, parents were unsure about sending their kids.” Malti took the initiative to counsel and persuade parents, explaining the importance of education, and eventually, leading to a significant increase in admissions.
Dealing with another problem, Malti shares how many parents had a set way of thinking, especially about educating girls. She observed that in many villages, families didn’t prioritize sending girls to school. Even if they did, they often restricted their participation in school events.
Reflecting on this, Malti shares, “Convincing parents who have age-old mindsets requires patience and persistent efforts. We organized workshops and cultural events to change their views, but there’s still a long way to go.”
Read More: How One Visionary Woman Leader Is Making A Difference In Girls’ Education
Proud Moments
Malti joyfully says, “Our school has won the Idol School Award for three years in a row. Our students excel in inter school competitions, win prizes, and even do great in exams for scholarships. In school events, parents see their kids speaking confidently in English and showcasing their talents on stage, revealing skills they didn’t know they had. They give credit to the school staff for helping their kids do so well, bringing a lot of pride and a promise to keep working hard for the students.”
Malti adds, “These moments make me very proud and remind me why I do what I do. I take a new oath every day to ensure my students succeed.”
Pandemic and Its Impact
During the pandemic, Guruprasad English Medium School, like many others, faced difficulties. They couldn’t offer online classes because of electricity and network problems in the village.
However, Malti and her teachers refused to accept defeat. When the school reopened, they began assessing how well the students understood their lessons and what their learning levels were. Subsequently, the school started remedial classes to help them catch up.
“We will keep working until every student is back to their desired learning level,” Malti’s words echo.
Varthana and Their Support
“Doobte ko tinke ka sahara chahiye (A little help can make miracles for those in need),” Malti says, emphasizing that Varthana played a big part in helping the school survive during a severe financial crisis.
She goes on to praise the people at Varthana, saying they were supportive and positive. Malti is thankful for the help and hopes to keep having a strong relationship in the future.
Final Thoughts
Malti is a leader who always seeks the best programs and tools for her students. She plans to bring in projectors and audio-visual aids soon because she sees how they can help the students. But she also wants to make sure everyone remembers a very important lesson from her teaching years: “To be a successful school owner, it’s important for teachers to not only provide quality education but also instill good manners.”
Social