Mohammad Imran Khan Mewati

Mohammad Imran Khan Mewati, a dedicated teacher in Rajasthan's Sanskrit Education Department, has devoted over two decades to transforming education in rural India. Born into a farming family of modest means, Imran's commitment to teaching began early when, as a ninth grader, he started tutoring children to support his family's income. Inspired by the lack of educational resources and infrastructure in his primary school, he resolved to dedicate his career to addressing these challenges.

Imran’s teaching journey has been marked by innovation and resilience. Teaching English, mathematics, and science since 1999, he continually sought ways to make learning engaging and accessible. His foray into technology began in 2008 when he first used a computer and taught himself web development to create offline educational content in Hindi. This initial step evolved into the development of over 100 educational apps, freely available on the Google Play Store, with millions of installs across 50 countries. His apps, praised for their user-friendliness and impact, cover a wide range of areas, from education for primary classes to competitive exam preparation (Project Dishari, General Science, Math, History, Geography, etc.), health (Maternal Care App especially for rural women), and social welfare (Yuva Shakti App, Digital Mewat App). A highlight of his career came when Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Imran's contributions at Wembley Stadium in London, recognising his donation of educational apps to India’s Ministry of Education. He has been felicitated with many prestigious awards, including the National Teacher Award, the National ICT Award, and the Jamnalal Bajaj Award for his contribution to education and using technology for rural development.  

Imran’s work extends beyond the classroom. He has been instrumental in addressing systemic challenges in rural schools, such as high absenteeism, gender-based educational disparities, and poor infrastructure. Through innovative approaches like the peer-teaching method in multi-grade classrooms and group-based project learning, he has empowered students to become active participants in their education. His initiatives, like LetUsTalkEducation, played an important role during Covid-19 lockdown to train thousands of teachers for online teaching. His projects include teaching students about climate change, creating science models, developing a Miyawaki garden with 200 plants on the school campus, establishing a school library, and water conservation math activity.

One of Imran's most impactful initiatives is the "Devvani" app, developed during the COVID-19 pandemic to support online learning for Sanskrit students and teachers. This app now serves over 60,000 users, providing videos, e-books, and interactive content. Additionally, his efforts in community engagement have been transformative. He spearheaded fundraising campaigns, motivating local organisations to renovate schools, resulting in improved facilities and increased enrolment. His "Masti ki Pathshala" programme offers personality development and career guidance sessions, benefiting students and fostering lifelong skills.

As a Fulbright Distinguished Award Fellow for a semester-long program with 51 teachers from 16 countries in the United States, Imran gained global perspectives on education, which he integrates into his teaching. He emphasises 21st-century skills, global citizenship, and environmental stewardship and completed his research related to the development of an app for ICT training for teachers.
Imran has also significantly contributed to the broader teaching profession. As a master trainer for various institutions, he has trained thousands of teachers in ICT integration and content creation. His innovative "PRASHAST" app for disability screening in schools has impacted millions of children, supporting inclusive education.

Driven by a passion for equity and innovation, Mohammad Imran Khan Mewati’s work exemplifies how technology and dedication can bridge educational gaps, inspire communities, and empower the next generation. His story is a testament to the transformative power of teaching and his vision of a brighter, more inclusive future.