Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Gujarat Teacher Transforms Tribal School With Innovative Learning
Nitinkumar Mahendrakumar Pathak wanted to teach children in a remote tribal area.
In 2015, he moved to Rangpur Government Primary School in Gujarat.
At that time, the school had one small building with six rooms.
Over the years, teachers, students and villagers helped improve it.
The school now has 11 rooms, a garden, a play area and several technology-based learning facilities.
Children make a Hindi news bulletin in their own studio.
They also use a VR lab, computers, tablets and QR codes in their textbooks.
The school has attracted thousands of visitors who came to learn from its ideas.
Pathak has been shortlisted for a national award for primary teachers.
Nitinkumar Mahendrakumar Pathak moved from an urban-area school to Rangpur Government Primary School in 2015.
The school expanded from six rooms to 11, with capacity rising from 171 to 274 students.
Facilities now include a student news studio, 7D VR lab, science center, computer lab, tablets and touch screens.
The school received Rs 1,48,76,724 through public participation and attracted 2,900 education visitors in five years.
Pathak is Gujarat’s only primary teacher shortlisted for the national Teachers’ Day award.
- Who
- Nitinkumar Mahendrakumar Pathak, the Rangpur Government Primary School staff, students and villagers.
- What
- A rural government school was expanded and developed into a center for educational innovation.
- When
- Pathak joined the school in 2015; its student news bulletin began in 2018; he was shortlisted ahead of Teachers’ Day on September 5.
- Where
- Rangpur Government Primary School in Rangpur village, Vansda taluka, Navsari district, Gujarat.
- Why
- Pathak wanted to work in a tribal area, while the school introduced new facilities and activities to improve learning and help curb dropouts.
- Teacher
- Nitinkumar Mahendrakumar Pathak
- School
- Rangpur Government Primary School
- Student enrollment
- 274 students, up from 171
- School expansion
- Six rooms grew to 11 rooms
- Public participation funding
- Rs 1,48,76,724
- Innovation facilities
- News studio, 7D VR lab, QR-coded textbooks, tablets, touch screens, science center and computer lab
- Academic achievement
- 89 students secured merit positions in Gujarat government competitive examinations during the last three years
- Recognition
- Pathak is the only primary school teacher shortlisted from Gujarat for the national award