A mathematics teacher left his lucrative job to benefited 3.5 million school students in Rajasthan.

In a remarkable journey of dedication and selflessness, Jinender Soni made a life-changing decision to quit his high-paying job of Rs 5 lakh a month as a mathematics teacher with a prominent online coaching academy. Rather than continuing in the private sector, he chose to devote his skills and energy to building a digital education platform for government school students in Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu district. His passion for education, coupled with the desire to uplift students from underprivileged backgrounds, has set a new precedent in India’s education system. The catalyst for Soni’s noble endeavour came during the Covid-19 pandemic when the lockdowns accelerated the shift toward online education. The Rajasthan government, aware of the growing digital divide in education, expanded its efforts to deliver learning through online platforms. His expertise in creating online teaching products came in handy during this time of crisis, providing a solution to bridge the gap for government school students. However, Soni’s vision for inclusive education required more than just ideas. To bring his project to life, he raised funds through the C.M. Mundhra Memorial Charitable Trust, Cairn Foundation, and several corporates like Padam Interiors and Kolors Switches. Crowd funding efforts, along with his own financial contributions, enabled him to meet the substantial monthly expenses of Rs 8 lakh. With a dedicated team of 50 teachers, he worked tirelessly to develop the first set of video lectures covering the Board of Secondary Education, Rajasthan’s syllabus for higher classes.

The project caught the attention of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who lauded Soni’s innovative approach in 2022. The state government soon partnered with him to provide online education training to government teachers. Recognizing the unique challenges in teaching government school students, the focus was placed on finding teachers who could connect with students using local dialects and a deep understanding of the classroom environment. More than 2,000 teachers applied, with 100 selected to conduct lectures on the curriculum. Initially, the content was prepared in Hindi for classes 6 to 12, later expanding to include English-medium lectures for classes 3 to 8. The comprehensive approach didn’t stop there; lectures covering all subjects, including optional languages like Sanskrit, Urdu, and Sindhi, were developed. These educational resources are now accessible through various platforms—YouTube, the Mission Gyan mobile app, and even hard disks distributed by Mission Gyan offices. One of the biggest challenges faced was working with teachers who were unfamiliar with recording lectures. Many government school teachers were initially camera-shy, but Soni’s approach of using handwritten notes and converting them into slides allowed them to focus on delivering the lectures effectively.

He created an environment that mimicked a real classroom, helping teachers manage the flow of questions from students in a way that felt natural. His motivation turned hesitation into confidence, and today, these teachers have gained significant visibility and demand, even for private coaching. Soni’s initiative has revolutionized the education system in Rajasthan as well as in more than 5 other states. Thanks to Jinender Soni’s vision and tireless efforts, a revolution in school education is well underway in Rajasthan. His commitment to making quality education accessible to all is transforming the lives of millions of students, giving them the tools and opportunities they need to thrive in the digital age.