‘Educate Girls’ honours Pragati learners at graduation ceremony in Pali

‘Educate Girls’ – mobilising communities for girls’ education in the rural and educationally marginalised areas – honoured the learners who successfully passed their class 10 Board examinations through its second-chance education initiative, Pragati, at a graduation ceremony in Rajasthan’s Pali on Monday (March 23, 2026).

Educate Girls is the first Indian organisation to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2025 in recognition of its work to address gender disparities in education by enabling lakhs of girls to return to school, primarily through community-led efforts.

The ceremony in Pali brought together community leaders, government representatives, partners, volunteers, and learners to celebrate nearly two decades of promoting girls’ education. The graduating students were awarded certificates, and interactive sessions provided a platform for learners and mentors to share their stories of community engagement.

As many as 13 adolescent girls and young women, recognised as toppers for scoring above 70% marks in the Rajasthan State Open School class 10 examinations, were felicitated on the occasion. These learners benefited from Educate Girls’ Pragati programme, which supports women aged 15 to 29 years who are overage, academically behind, or at risk of dropping out of formal education.

Over 10,210 learners have resumed their education through the programme after extended gaps and successfully completed class 10. Besides focusing on academic learning, Pragati has enabled young women to build life skills and decision-making abilities, enabling them to shape their future.

District Literacy & Continuing Education Officer Kailash Chandra Rathore praised Educate Girls for its sustained impact over the past 18 years and pointed out that the Pragati learners had overcome barriers to achieve their aspirations. “The girls once out of school have moved forward with confidence and independence,” Mr. Rathore said.

Addressing the ceremony, several mentors narrated their experience of mobilising communities through door-to-door outreach, encouraging families to enrol and support girls in continuing their education. For several girls, this marked their first public event, which recognised them as role models within their communities.

The toppers felicitated in the ceremony shared their stories of balancing household responsibilities, challenging societal barriers, and restarting their education to pursue their dreams. Their experience highlighted the transformative power of second-chance opportunities.