Pappu Prajapati, Sri L K Prajapati Public School, Indore
In many rural parts of India, getting a quality education is not just about going to school – it’s a daily battle. Children often have to walk long distances or take different forms of transport just to reach a classroom. And even after they arrive, the learning environment is far from ideal. Many trained teachers are doing their best but often have to manage entire classrooms in poorly ventilated buildings with limited seating and resources. Over time, many children lose interest – or are forced to drop out midway to support their families.
But in a remote village near Indore, one man decided that this cycle needed to break. “When I saw these children giving up their dreams because of things they couldn’t control, it broke my heart,” says Pappu Prajapati.
He saw that rural education needed more than just books and teachers. It needed someone who could solve the deeper problems – poor mindset, lack of hope, and a system that left rural kids behind. “Most people try to improve rural education by providing meals or giving free books,” he says. “But what these children need first is someone who believes they matter.”
“I knew that if I could change how the community viewed education, the children would start believing in themselves too,” he shares.
Prajapati’s mission wasn’t to impress anyone. It came from a genuine desire to lift his community – not just through education, but by opening doors to a better life. This is where Prajapati stepped into rural Indore – making rural education his mission, not to please the community, but to help it grow, thrive, and move forward with the modern world.
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Early Influence that Sparked the Idea
Coming from a rural background, Prajapati always knew what limited access to education felt like. But instead of letting that limit him, he turned it into his purpose.
He began his journey in a government school in Indore, where resources were few but dreams ran deep. After completing his basic education, he joined Holkar Science College. Even while studying in Class 12, he found himself drawn to teaching. “Every evening, I would sit with children from nearby areas to help them study,” he recalls. “It wasn’t just teaching for me – it made my own learning stronger and gave me a deep sense of purpose.”
This early habit of helping others slowly became his passion. He was more than just a student by the time he graduated in 2003; he was eager to improve education for others. But the turning point came when he started teaching professionally. As a government school teacher, he didn’t just see students – he saw stories. Many were first-generation learners, struggling to keep up, often feeling lost.
“What bothered me the most was that these children had immense potential and only needed some mentoring to improve their skills. But due to their difficult circumstances, they lacked the will and confidence to move forward, and felt their future was bleak – that this was the end of the road,” he shares.
In 2009, moved by this reality, he took a bold step. He founded the Academy L.K. Prajapati – a school that focused not only on affordable education but also on building confidence among rural students.
“The idea wasn’t just to start another school,” he says. “It was to create a space where rural children feel they belong, where learning feels possible – even for those left behind.”
Growth Over the Years
The school began in 2009 with just 40-50 students. Prajapati recalls how four staff members stepped forward to help, not for pay, but for purpose. “They visited every home in the area, spoke to parents, and convinced them that this school could change their child’s future,” he shares.
Their honest efforts worked. By year-end, enrollment grew to 150. It was a turning point.
“We had no ads, no money – just perseverance and hard work,” he says. “The community started trusting us, and that meant everything.” The growth never stopped. By 2025, the main branch had over 300 students. With a second branch running, total strength touched nearly 800. “It’s no longer just a school,” he says. “It’s a shared dream that’s growing stronger each year.”
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Digital Learning, Social Change
The school saw a major milestone when it brought in digital learning. “The moment we introduced tablets and digital tools in our classrooms, more parents started coming in. They felt we were offering the kind of education that city schools do,” shares Prajapati. For him, this wasn’t just about technology – it was about helping rural students keep pace, so they wouldn’t struggle later when they move to bigger cities for higher education.
But none of the school’s enrollment growth would’ve been possible without the people around him. The local community stood by the school and helped it grow. “Most parents here work long hours. Knowing their children are getting a good education without putting a huge burden on their pockets gave them relief,” he says. He even made sure that orphans and children from extremely poor families could study without paying any fees – a quiet but powerful part of his promise to serve.
“When a parent tells me, ‘Sir, ab mere bacche ko padhne ka mann karta hai,’ that one sentence gives me all the motivation I need,” he says, his eyes lighting up with emotion.
Upskilling the Teachers
To make sure each student gets the right attention, the school runs in two shifts and brings in teachers who are already trained. But the learning doesn’t stop there. “We don’t believe in just hiring and moving on,” says Prajapati. “Every year, we hold five to six training sessions so our teachers can grow, try better teaching methods, and use digital tools in ways that really help inside the classroom.”
The school avoids the idea that one method works for all. Teaching styles are reviewed regularly to see what’s actually helping students. “At the end of every academic year, we sit together and ask ourselves – what worked, what didn’t, and what we need to change to make it easier for our students to learn,” he explains.
“When teachers grow, children grow with them. That’s why we put time and effort into helping our teachers first,” he affirms
Extracurricular Excellence
The school believes in supporting students more than just academics. Along with studies, they are encouraged to join science fairs, sports, and cultural events. “Many of our students have received awards at district-level competitions. It has helped build the school’s name and given students a sense of belief in themselves,” says Prajapati.
Over time, this has helped students face real-life situations better. “Some of them have gone on to become doctors, engineers, and civil servants. We believe these early experiences help them deal with failure, people, and pressure in their careers later,” he shares.
Infrastructural Growth with Varthana
As more students began enrolling, Prajapati realised the school urgently needed better infrastructure. But expansion meant big financial support – something hard to manage alone. “In 2016, I reached out to Varthana for a loan. We used it to build a new school building and improve classrooms, so our students could learn in a more comfortable and focused space,” he shares.
This step helped the school grow steadily, but it wasn’t the end of the journey. With new admissions and rising expectations, further development became necessary. “By 2024, it was clear we had to expand again. I went back to Varthana for another loan of ₹15 lakh. I trusted them because they had supported us once before, and their process was simple and fast,” he says.
“When you don’t have to stress about funding, you can put your full energy into building something meaningful for children,” he adds, reflecting on the partnership.
Future Goals
Prajapati’s immediate goal is to drive student enrollment by 200 over the next year while enhancing school facilities. However, his ambitions exceed numbers. “My long-term ambition is to create a large, fully developed school with modern amenities at an affordable fee. No child should be denied rural education due to financial reasons,” he said, fully representing his resolve.
With the community’s continued support, he believes L K Prajapati Public School can continue to grow and excel. “We’re building a foundation together, which will last for generations to come,” he says, with the hope that the future ahead will be bright.
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