Mradula Singh, Founder NexSchools
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A school in urban slum once forgotten now has 700 students on a waitlist - what changed? Behind the turnaround of CM Rise Vinoba in Ratlam is Vice Princiapl Gajendra Singh Rathore, who refused to accept failure and chose action over excuses.
“Who would have thought a government school in a marginalized community would have a waiting list of over 700 students?” says Gajendra Sir with pride. In the middle of Ambedkar Nagar, a slum in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, stood CM Rise Vinoba recently renamed as Sandipani Vidhyalaya Vinoba, a school that was overlooked and forgotten. Once known for broken walls, empty classrooms, and shattered hope, today it emerges as a model of excellence, not just in the city, but across India. Behind this incredible transformation is the humble yet visionary school leader, Gajendra Singh Rathore.
Gajendra Sir, as his students fondly call him, is not new to education. With nearly 30 years of service and the prestigious National Teacher Award (2017) to his name, he could have rested on his laurels. But when he and a few colleagues were transferred to CM Rise Vinoba in May 2022 under the Madhya Pradesh government’s CM Rise program, he chose a different path - a harder but more meaningful one.
The school was in ruins, both physically and emotionally. Alcohol bottles littered the premises. Children skipped school to make "chalnis" (wire mesh), and parents didn’t trust the system. Stones were thrown at the school, not just literally but symbolically too. There was no connection between the school and the community. But instead of being discouraged, Gajendra Singh saw an opportunity for change.
He took baby steps. He began by building trust with his team, with students, and with parents. “If I can reach every teacher, every teacher can reach every student,” he believed. With this in mind, he launched the ‘Cycle of Growth,’ a professional development model focused on regular training, classroom observations, appreciation, and feedback. Led by Vice Principal Gajendra Singh Rathore, the team of 30 teachers began transforming the school by empowering one another to become changemakers.
Next came a culture of appreciation. From “Teacher of the Month” awards to daily huddles, teachers began feeling valued. They responded by creating over 400 Teaching Learning Materials (TLMs), redesigning assessment systems, and integrating social-emotional learning into the curriculum. Even morning sports sessions became a hit, pulling students into school with joy and excitement.
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What followed was a ripple effect. Students, once absent and indifferent, began showing up with energy. They participated in competitions, built a herbal garden, created classroom libraries, and even taught on Teachers' Day. The community, once skeptical, turned into partners in progress.
Parental engagement skyrocketed from less than 5% to 90% due to innovative models like capsule online PTMs, peer-to-peer parenting sessions, and community-led learning showcases. Parents now take pride in the school and often say, “This school is changing our children's future.”
The results? Unbelievable. From 25% attendance to a 90% average. From apathy in an undeserved community to national glory. says Gajendra Sir
Student success in academics, sports, and the arts has put the school on the map far beyond its local community. Recognized as a “Daksh School” and declared a “Lighthouse School” by the state government, it has also earned global acclaim by winning an international innovation award from T4 Education, along with a $10,000 prize.
“We feel proud that we are an Indian Government School,” says Gajendra Singh Rathore with quiet pride. The school’s chant now echoes loudly: “We are from CM Rise!”
This is not just the story of a school. It’s a story of belief, leadership, teamwork, and the power of education to transform lives, even in the most unlikely places.
Because when one teacher dares to dream, a whole community rises.
Do you have a story? Send us your story at supriya@nexschools.com
How Gajendra Singh Rathore Transformed a Slum School into a Model of Excellence - NexSchools inspiring teachers' Story Series by Mradula Singh | Teacher Stories | REmakable Achievements of Teachers | Schoools that transforemed by teachers | Community tranformation by a teacher | #TeachersInspiringTeachers | #InspiringTeacher #ImapctStory Story of Community transformation by Government school in Ratlam written by Mradula Singh
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