Savitribai Phule
&
Jyotiba Phule:
Contribution towards
Educational Reforms
Dr. Shrutidhara Mahanta
Department of Education
Centre for Distance and Online Education
Dibrugarh University
Savitribai Phule: Life and Contributions
 Early Life:
 Savitribai Phule was born on 3 January 1831 in the Mali community. She was
married at a young age to Jyotirao Phule and was initially illiterate.
 Encouraged by her husband, she began her education at home and later
received formal teacher training in Pune and Ahmednagar.
 Savitribai became India's first professionally trained female headmistress
and teacher.
 Educational Pioneer:
 In 1848, along with her husband Jyotirao Phule and Sagunabai Kshirsagar,
she opened the first school for girls in India at Bhide Wada, Pune.
 This school followed a progressive curriculum that included mathematics,
science, and social studies.
 Despite facing strong social opposition, Savitribai and Jyotirao expanded
to run several schools for girls and marginalized communities by 1851.
Savitribai Phule: Life and Contributions
 Social Reformer:
 Savitribai worked relentlessly to advance education for girls and oppressed
communities. She co-founded the "Mahila Seva Mandal" in 1851 to promote
women's rights and established the "Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha" in 1853, a
home aimed at preventing infanticide among widows.
 She also supported widow remarriage, challenged caste and gender
discrimination, and provided education as a means of social
empowerment.
 She is also considered a pioneer of India's feminist movement.
 Literary Contributions:
 Savitribai was also a poet and author, writing works such as Kavya
Phule (1854) and Bavan Kashi Subhodh Ratnakar (1892), reflecting her
thoughts on social justice, women's empowerment, and the need to
dismantle caste oppression.
Jyotiba Phule: Life and Contributions
 Early Life:
 Jyotiba Govindrao Phule was born on 11 April 1827 in Pune, Maharashtra,
into the Mali caste, a community considered lower in the social hierarchy.
 His father was a vegetable vendor, and Jyotiba faced caste-based
discrimination from an early age.
 Despite social barriers, he pursued education, including studies at the
Scottish Mission High School in Pune.
 Social Awakening:
 An incident at a friend's wedding in 1848, where caste-based discrimination
was evident, deeply influenced Jyotiba and motivated him to challenge
the caste system and social oppression.
 He openly criticized the dominance of Brahmanical orthodoxy that
perpetuated inequality.
Jyotiba Phule: Life and Contributions
 Social Reform Activities:
 In 1873, he founded the Satyashodhak Samaj (Society of Truth Seekers)
to fight caste discrimination, promote social equality, and advance
women’s rights.
 Advocated for widow remarriage, education for girls, Sudras and Dalits,
and the prevention of female infanticide.
 Criticized Brahmanical culture for propagating inequality and
supported the oppressed groups by using symbols that gave them
strength.
 Petitioned for political representation of marginalized communities and
promoted economic self-reliance through agriculture and crafts.
Savitribai & Jyotiba Phule--Educational Reforms:
 Believing education was key to social empowerment, they founded the
first school for girls in Pune in 1848, pioneering women’s education in
India.
 They established schools for marginalized communities, including Dalits,
Sudra’s etc. lower castes who were traditionally excluded from
education.
 They started night schools for working-class individuals, allowing them to
study alongside their jobs.
 They promoted a practical and inclusive curriculum aimed at
empowering the oppressed.
 Their work went beyond schooling; they set up shelters for widows and
children, provided financial support for students, and encouraged
critical thinking through education.
Key Takeaways
Aspect Savitribai Phule Jyotiba Phule
Focus
Women’s education
and empowerment
Mass education and social reforms
for oppressed communities
Key
Contribution
Founded first girls’
school, championed
social reforms
Advocated universal primary
education, practical curriculum
Social Impact
Challenged caste and
gender barriers
Paved way for Dalit education and
social equality
Legacy
Role model for
women’s education
and rights
Pioneer of revolutionary social
education
Legacy:
 Known as the "Mother of Modern Education
in India," Savitribai Phule's pioneering
efforts laid the foundation for women’s and
marginalized communities' education.
 Today, her legacy lives on through
memorials, institutions named after her,
and continued inspiration for social reform
movements across India.
Legacy:
 Known as "Mahatma," Jyotiba Phule
left an enduring legacy as a pioneer of
social justice, education for the
marginalized, and a vocal critic of
caste oppression.
 His efforts laid the groundwork for future
social reformers and the struggle for
equality in India.

Savitribai Phule & Jyotiba Phule.pptx: Contribution towards Indian Educational Reforms

  • 1.
    Savitribai Phule & Jyotiba Phule: Contributiontowards Educational Reforms Dr. Shrutidhara Mahanta Department of Education Centre for Distance and Online Education Dibrugarh University
  • 2.
    Savitribai Phule: Lifeand Contributions  Early Life:  Savitribai Phule was born on 3 January 1831 in the Mali community. She was married at a young age to Jyotirao Phule and was initially illiterate.  Encouraged by her husband, she began her education at home and later received formal teacher training in Pune and Ahmednagar.  Savitribai became India's first professionally trained female headmistress and teacher.  Educational Pioneer:  In 1848, along with her husband Jyotirao Phule and Sagunabai Kshirsagar, she opened the first school for girls in India at Bhide Wada, Pune.  This school followed a progressive curriculum that included mathematics, science, and social studies.  Despite facing strong social opposition, Savitribai and Jyotirao expanded to run several schools for girls and marginalized communities by 1851.
  • 3.
    Savitribai Phule: Lifeand Contributions  Social Reformer:  Savitribai worked relentlessly to advance education for girls and oppressed communities. She co-founded the "Mahila Seva Mandal" in 1851 to promote women's rights and established the "Balhatya Pratibandhak Griha" in 1853, a home aimed at preventing infanticide among widows.  She also supported widow remarriage, challenged caste and gender discrimination, and provided education as a means of social empowerment.  She is also considered a pioneer of India's feminist movement.  Literary Contributions:  Savitribai was also a poet and author, writing works such as Kavya Phule (1854) and Bavan Kashi Subhodh Ratnakar (1892), reflecting her thoughts on social justice, women's empowerment, and the need to dismantle caste oppression.
  • 4.
    Jyotiba Phule: Lifeand Contributions  Early Life:  Jyotiba Govindrao Phule was born on 11 April 1827 in Pune, Maharashtra, into the Mali caste, a community considered lower in the social hierarchy.  His father was a vegetable vendor, and Jyotiba faced caste-based discrimination from an early age.  Despite social barriers, he pursued education, including studies at the Scottish Mission High School in Pune.  Social Awakening:  An incident at a friend's wedding in 1848, where caste-based discrimination was evident, deeply influenced Jyotiba and motivated him to challenge the caste system and social oppression.  He openly criticized the dominance of Brahmanical orthodoxy that perpetuated inequality.
  • 5.
    Jyotiba Phule: Lifeand Contributions  Social Reform Activities:  In 1873, he founded the Satyashodhak Samaj (Society of Truth Seekers) to fight caste discrimination, promote social equality, and advance women’s rights.  Advocated for widow remarriage, education for girls, Sudras and Dalits, and the prevention of female infanticide.  Criticized Brahmanical culture for propagating inequality and supported the oppressed groups by using symbols that gave them strength.  Petitioned for political representation of marginalized communities and promoted economic self-reliance through agriculture and crafts.
  • 6.
    Savitribai & JyotibaPhule--Educational Reforms:  Believing education was key to social empowerment, they founded the first school for girls in Pune in 1848, pioneering women’s education in India.  They established schools for marginalized communities, including Dalits, Sudra’s etc. lower castes who were traditionally excluded from education.  They started night schools for working-class individuals, allowing them to study alongside their jobs.  They promoted a practical and inclusive curriculum aimed at empowering the oppressed.  Their work went beyond schooling; they set up shelters for widows and children, provided financial support for students, and encouraged critical thinking through education.
  • 7.
    Key Takeaways Aspect SavitribaiPhule Jyotiba Phule Focus Women’s education and empowerment Mass education and social reforms for oppressed communities Key Contribution Founded first girls’ school, championed social reforms Advocated universal primary education, practical curriculum Social Impact Challenged caste and gender barriers Paved way for Dalit education and social equality Legacy Role model for women’s education and rights Pioneer of revolutionary social education
  • 8.
    Legacy:  Known asthe "Mother of Modern Education in India," Savitribai Phule's pioneering efforts laid the foundation for women’s and marginalized communities' education.  Today, her legacy lives on through memorials, institutions named after her, and continued inspiration for social reform movements across India. Legacy:  Known as "Mahatma," Jyotiba Phule left an enduring legacy as a pioneer of social justice, education for the marginalized, and a vocal critic of caste oppression.  His efforts laid the groundwork for future social reformers and the struggle for equality in India.