M.C. Rajah

A visionary Indian educator who pioneered transformative educational reforms in the 20th century.

M.C. Rajah (1880-1958) was a pioneering educator and administrator who revolutionized India's educational landscape during the mid-20th century. Born in Tamil Nadu, he served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Madras and later became the first Indian Director-General of Education in India. His most notable contribution was the establishment of the Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education, which emphasized holistic development and spiritual growth alongside academic excellence. Rajah also introduced innovative teaching methodologies like the 'child-centered approach' and advocated for universal primary education at a time when literacy rates were below 15% in rural areas. His reforms laid the groundwork for India's modern education system and influenced policies like the 1968 National Education Policy.

Rajah's work extended beyond India through his role in the UNESCO International Commission on the Development of Education (1949-1952). He argued for education as a fundamental human right, a concept later enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. His 1944 book Education and Social Change remains a seminal text in pedagogical theory. Rajah's legacy is seen in institutions like the Auroville community and the Rajagiri School of Social Sciences, which continue his mission of integrating education with societal progress.