How did a village boy become the youngest headmaster in the world? At nine, Babar Ali didn’t wait for a title. He simply began teaching those who couldn’t afford school, with a chalk in hand and a cause in his heart. With no formal setup, just a tile as a blackboard and pure intent, he turned learning into a lifeline. By 16, the world took notice of his efforts.
Read on to explore the inspiring story of the youngest headmaster and how one child’s will ignited a movement.
Who is the youngest headmaster in the world?
Babar Ali. That’s the answer the BBC gave the world in 2009. He was only sixteen when they called him the world’s youngest headmaster, running a full-fledged school for underprivileged children from his backyard. The name of his school: Ananda Siksha Niketan, meaning House of Happy Learning.
He was still a student himself at the time, traveling 10 kilometers each day to attend Raj Govinda School. But his afternoons were reserved for teaching others, children who worked as domestic helpers, cattle grazers, or field laborers. Children who had never stepped inside a classroom before.
How It All Began
Babar was just nine when his journey began. His father, a jute trader, had enrolled him in a school far from home. Each day on his way back, he noticed kids either playing or working. Curious, he asked if they wanted to learn what he was being taught. They said yes.
So, Babar began teaching with whatever he could find, old newspapers, a terracotta tile, and the lessons fresh in his mind. Among his first batch of students was his younger sister, Amina. They sat on the ground, hungry to learn. This spark became a fire.
By 2003, the school was officially named. By 2005, Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen had invited him to speak about it. The momentum never slowed.
From Backyard to Beacon of Hope
The youngest headmaster in the world wasn’t content with just informal classes. He wanted a real school, a roof, benches, blackboards. With prize money from CNN-IBN’s Real Heroes award and the help of mentor Almitra Patel, Babar bought land and laid the foundation for something bigger.
In November 2015, the new school building was inaugurated. Former students, many of whom were once illiterate girls, returned as teachers. The school now serves over 800 children, with more than 10 volunteer teachers who are either students or former pupils themselves.
Recognition and Impact
Babar’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. He has received:
- CNN-IBN Real Hero Award
- NDTV Indian of the Year
- Rotary India Literacy Hero Award
- Featured in Forbes Asia’s 30 Under 30
- Honored by the International Literacy Association
- Included in the CBSE 10th standard English textbook
- Mentioned by President Ram Nath Kovind in his national address
From a backyard with no roof to classrooms buzzing with hopeful minds, his school has helped raise literacy rates in the region and has inspired educational efforts across India and beyond.
Babar Ali’s Lifelong Commitment to Learning and Teaching
Even today, Babar calls himself a student first and teacher second. He holds degrees in English and History and continues to learn, so he can teach better. His goal is simple and unshaken: “Education for all.”
Classes are free. Books and food are funded by donations. During monsoons, classes sometimes halt because there’s still not enough infrastructure. Yet, the students come back every day. Driven not by compulsion, but by a hunger to learn.
Babar’s journey is far from over. With continued support, more children like Chumki Hajra, once a domestic worker, now a student with dreams, can rewrite their future.
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FAQs
Who is the youngest headmaster in the world?
Babar Ali from Murshidabad, India, was named the youngest headmaster in the world by the BBC at age 16 in 2009.
When did Babar Ali start teaching?
Babar Ali started teaching in 2002 at age nine, sharing school lessons with village children using simple materials.
What is the name of Babar Ali’s school?
Babar Ali’s school is Ananda Siksha Niketan, meaning House of Happy Learning. It began in his backyard and now has a proper building.
Is Babar Ali’s school still running today?
Yes, the school still runs and offers free education to over 800 underprivileged children in Babar Ali’s village and nearby areas.
Are students taught for free at Babar Ali’s school?
Yes, Babar Ali’s school offers free education, along with books and food funded by donations.
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