3 weeks ago
IAS Officer Brings 42,000 Ratlam Children Benches and Smart Lessons
Many children in Ratlam, a district in India, used to sit on the hard floor at school because there were not enough benches.
An officer named Vaishali Jain wanted to change that.
She helped bring more than 21,000 benches to over 1,000 government schools.
Now more than 42,000 children have a proper place to sit.
Schools were also repaired and given rainwater harvesting structures.
Some schools got smart digital lessons with videos, worksheets and practice materials for older students.
Teachers are still there, but the new computer lessons help children learn even more.
Quiet study libraries were opened in villages for children who want to study after school.
Women from local groups will run small cafes next to these libraries to earn money.
Vaishali believes people will see big results in a year or two.
Ratlam's Gyanodaya – Shala Unnayan Abhiyan installed over 21,000 bench-desks across 1,011 government primary schools, reaching more than 42,000 students.
Around 200 schools now have benches and nearly 100 have been repaired, with rainwater harvesting structures added to extend building life.
E-Gyan Setu, built by 16 subject experts, delivers video lectures, bridge courses, revision modules, worksheets and AI-assisted content to Classes IX and X in 100 government schools.
The Public Rural Library Initiative converts unused government buildings into study centres across six Janpad Panchayats, where Self-Help Group women will run adjoining Didi Cafes.
As SDM in Rewa, Jain disposed of over 9,000 revenue court cases and helped recover close to Rs 100 crore for farmers.
- Who
- IAS officer Vaishali Jain, Chief Executive Officer of Ratlam Zila Panchayat and Additional Collector, a 2021-batch Madhya Pradesh cadre officer
- What
- Launched a three-layered education model for Ratlam: the Gyanodaya bench-desks campaign, E-Gyan Setu digital lessons and the Public Rural Library Initiative
- Where
- Ratlam district, Madhya Pradesh, India
- When
- Reported on August 1, 2026, nine months after Jain took charge as CEO of Ratlam Zila Panchayat
- Why
- To ensure no student sits on the floor, to give remote schools access to quality teaching and to provide rural students quiet places to study
Key facts
- Officer
- Vaishali Jain, CEO of Ratlam Zila Panchayat and Additional Collector (2021-batch IAS, Madhya Pradesh cadre)
- Location
- Ratlam district, Madhya Pradesh, India
- Benches installed
- Over 21,000 bench-desks
- Schools covered
- 1,011 government primary schools
- Students reached
- More than 42,000
- Digital programme
- E-Gyan Setu operating in 100 government schools for Classes IX and X
- Libraries
- Six Janpad Panchayats funded by Fifteenth Finance Commission grants
- Funding sources
- CSR support, MLA funds and the direct village adoption model
Quotes
Vaishali Jain
IAS officer, chief executive officer of Ratlam Zila Panchayat and additional collector
“"Education is something which needs consistent effort. You will be able to see the results after a year or two, maybe more than that," she said.”
thebetterindia.com
“"No student in these schools sits on the floor anymore. They very respectfully sit on their benches," Jain said.”
thebetterindia.com
Sources
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