Mumbai, Dec 06: Educate Girls, the first Indian organisation to be awarded the 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Award, celebrated its 18th Foundation Day today, coinciding with International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development. The milestone was marked by honouring 55,000 Team Balika volunteers, along with adolescent girls and young women who secured 75% and above in their Class 10 State Open School examinations.
Speaking at the event, Ranjeet Singh Deol, Principal Secretary, School Education and Sports Department, Government of Maharashtra, commended the organisation’s sustained impact:
“This is not an eye-wash this is targeted work to address a deep-rooted mindset. Bringing over 20 lakh girls back to education is no small feat. By starting in the most challenging geographies, Educate Girls has built strong field experience. When you focus on the most marginalised girls, the gaps become visible and solvable.”
He further added:
“Even in progressive states like Maharashtra, pockets of vulnerability remain. Your model on out-of-school girls will strengthen our policies and help us act faster using your AI-driven insights.”
Congratulating the young women achievers, he said:
“These women motivate thousands more. Every woman who has passed her Class 10 through open school becomes a role model in her community. The future of Bharat depends on girls staying in school and with government partnership, this impact can grow even stronger.”
Recognising Learners Overcoming Odds
At the Mumbai gathering, girls and young women from three states were felicitated for scoring 75% and above in their Class 10 Open School examinations. These achievers are part of Pragati, Educate Girls’ second-chance education programme that supports adolescent girls and young women (15–29) who have been pushed out of education due to early domestic responsibilities, lack of access, or social restrictions. Pragati enables learners to restart academics, build foundational and life skills, and regain agency to author their futures.
For many awardees, this achievement followed years away from classrooms — and for several, this was also their first flight as they travelled to Mumbai for the celebration. Their resilience has now positioned them as role models within their communities.
55,000 Volunteers Driving Change at the Grassroots
With Foundation Day aligning with International Volunteer Day, the event also recognised the mammoth contribution of 55,000 Team Balika volunteers the backbone of the organisation’s model. These community champions have been instrumental in identifying out-of-school girls, supporting enrolment, fostering family buy-in, and breaking entrenched social barriers to education.
Founder Safeena Husain and CEO Gayatri Nair Lobo felicitated learners and volunteers while acknowledging partners who have supported the organisation’s mission.
Reflecting on the milestone, Safeena Husain said:
“For 18 years, our journey has been powered by the resilience and commitment of thousands our Team Balika volunteers, our Preraks, and our teams across every geography we serve. Our government partners, communities, and supporters have fuelled this mission every step of the way. With the Ramon Magsaysay Award energising our path, we enter the new year with renewed purpose and a bold ambition: to reach 10 million learners by 2035.”
Gayatri Nair Lobo, CEO, added:
“This year has reminded us of the extraordinary power of collective action. Working hand-in-hand with partner states, we have brought lakhs of girls back to education and with eight new states joining our mission, our resolve only deepens. Educate Girls has always been a people-powered movement, and through our collaboration with state open schools, we are creating real pathways for girls to return to education and shape their own futures.”
Showcasing Voices, Models & Impact
The Foundation Day celebration hosted a vibrant panel featuring learners from remote villages, Team Balika volunteers, and Preraks, who shared stories from the grassroots on motivating girls to resume education. Attendees also explored an interactive learning showcase demonstrating Educate Girls’ innovative remedial tools that enable learners to reintegrate into academics with confidence and success.