A good teacher is a doctor who heals ignorance and an artist who inspires creativity”.
Kamlesh Zapadiya, a primary school teacher from Rajkot, Gujarat, was unhappy with the way he saw children studying. He always believed that studies should be fun and students should understand and enjoy what they learn. 
He travelled 20 kilometers daily to Jasdan which was the closest accessible cyber café. His determination and passion kept him fueled throughout the journey. The idea of making study material in the form of a quiz was his goal. After endless study and research on educational aids, tools, and tutorials, Edusafar.com was born.
Edusafar.com has the entire syllabus from classes 1 to 10 into a quiz format.
“The idea is to make education simpler and easy to understand. Being a teacher, I understand the troubles faced by students and this site is expected to act as a tool for simpler learning alternatives,” says Zapadiya. The website is managed by a team of 6 members who are all teachers in various schools of Gujarat.
The best part of this website is that the quizzes can be downloaded free of cost. “Most of the schools have computers and this quiz can be reachable at ease to every student” he says. He has also developed an app that supports students who do understand only Gujarati language.
The app contains questions related general knowledge and current affairs, thus making the students socially aware. Kamlesh’s focus is to make subjects interesting and enjoyable than forcing students into mugging words from the textbooks.
The quiz format on Edusafar.com has been recognized by the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad. Zapadiya is recognized among the hundred teachers who have been felicitated by Gujarat Innovative Education Council and Gujarat Council of Educational Research and Training in Gandhinagar.
It is people like Zapadiya who inspire each one of us to take a stand and bring a change no matter how tough the situation is. In spite of the biggest obstacle of lack of electricity and cyber café in his area, Zapadiya has managed to produce something that is changing the lives of thousands of students.
This post is part of the We Are the World Blogfest, a monthly event created by Damyanti Biswas and Belinda Witzenhausen to showcase stories of hope and light. This month I’m helping out as a co-host, along with extraordinary bloggers Sylvia McGrath, Sylvia Stein, Eric Lahti and Belinda Witzenhausen—please hop over to check out their WATWB posts as well as from other WATWB participants for a dose of feel-good to last you a whole month. You’ll be happy you did!
Click HERE to check out the intention and rules of the blogfest and feel free to sign up at any time. You are always welcome!
32 Responses
Awesome. Should be implemented in all the schools
True that!! It would reduce the stress and add fun!
Truly wonderful.. a real gem of a human being. And one who rightly deserves to be feted.
Well said. I am glad that his efforts are recognized!
What a hero. Changing minds is challenging and I admire anyone who makes the effort to spread light in the world.
Agree with you. He has proved that anyone can make a difference!
This is the kind of teachers we need today, what with curriculum being as intimidating as it is and children finding it tough to manage it all. Hats off to Mr. Zapadiya for taking into consideration the ones who need the most support.
Well said, with the competitive and challenging scenarios that kids face these days, we need something that reduces the stress and add some fun in learning. Kudos to Kamlesh for doing his bit in giving just that!
hats off to Mr Zapadiya for his initiative, I appreciate him for his thoughtfulness to bring in changes despite of challenges in his life. Thank you shilpa for sharing 🙂
Yes, more power to him!! 🙂
Terrific Mr. Zapadiya! Thanks Shilpa – I can imagine children enjoying this kind of learning ..
Absolutely, learning that’s easy and fun too!
Wow – what dedication and belief this man has and how he pushed the envelope to get where he wanted to. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful story Shilpa- I will get on this bandwagon post May and will add my stories to WATB
Yes, he has proved that a small candle can illuminate the blackest of spaces! That’s awesome, Shalini. Looking forward to read your stories of positivity and kindness for #WATWB 🙂
Awesome. I love the idea of using technology for education. The traditional model of sitting in a classroom and inhaling facts only to regurgitate them later is simply not the best way to do things.
Well said, Eric. Kamlesh has introduced a fun and an interesting way to learn and kudos to him for his efforts!
Changing mindsets is one of the most challenging things and his dedication to his chosen work needs all the applause because of the sheer benefit it would bring to the beneficiaries, i.e., the learners, and the impact on so many lives. I’m joining in with my story this time, Shilpa, and I do think that the #WATWB is a great place for inspiring people who make you think of how humanity thrives in spite of the odds.
Well said, Esha. Kamlesh has made a BIG difference in the lives of so many students. Hats off to him.
So good to see you participating for this edition of #WATWB. Thanks for sharing Narasamma’s inspiring story with us 🙂
What admirable dedication! It’s such a joy to see those committed to giving kids the opportunity to learn in ways that excite and delight them. What a great foundation to insure life-long curiosity and learning.
Thanks for sharing this story, and for co-hosting this month.
Thanks a lot for dropping by, Deborah and thanks for sharing Xander and Matt’s story with us 🙂
Sounds great. He looks as if he’d be nice with kids too! The Unfinished Story.
I agree. 🙂
This is great, education should be fun indeed. What a man to take it on himself to do something about it!
Yeah, he has truly proved that anyone can make a difference only if they try!
I love it when teachers make it a point to create curriculum that not only teaches, but holds the children’s interests. He sounds like a guy who doesn’t make excuses.
True that. He is a doer and go-getter!!
Zapadiya really has put some thought and effort into these learning supports. What a gem he is and surely the families will thank him in the years to come. May their be more like him. Thanks for co-hosting us 🙂
True, may his tribe increase. Thank you Simon and thanks for dropping by 🙂
Making a positive difference in the education of our children is the number one contribution that we can make to our world’s future. Great article!
Teachers rock! I’m so glad to see that this teacher received recognition for his efforts and that those efforts have led to learning success.
What an incredible story and praises to this wonderful teacher. He is so inspiring! Loved reading this story.
I find his method admirable, and hope it inspired a fine class of scholars to embrace the delights of knowledge.