Smita Prajeepati

Indian social entrepreneur bridging education gaps through mobile learning platforms

Smita Prajeepati is the visionary behind EduJunction, a groundbreaking education tech initiative launched in 2020 that delivers free K-12 content via basic feature phones. Recognizing that 60% of India's rural population lacks smartphones but has access to basic mobile networks, her SMS-based learning system has provided educational resources to over 2 million students during the pandemic.

Prajeepati's platform uses AI-driven adaptive learning algorithms to create personalized study plans for students in remote areas. Her team developed the 'Solar Classroom' initiative in 2022, providing solar-powered mobile charging stations with pre-loaded educational content in 500 villages. This innovation won the UNESCO Literacy Prize in 2023.

Her most impactful contribution is the Girls Learn First program, which uses interactive voice messages to teach STEM subjects to girls in conservative regions where female education is restricted. By 2024, this initiative had increased school enrollment rates among girls by 35% in participating districts.

Prajeepati's work has been highlighted in BBC's 'Innovators of the Year' series and inspired similar programs in Bangladesh and Pakistan. She recently partnered with UNICEF to expand the platform to cover vocational training for youth in post-pandemic economies. Her 2023 book Connecting the Unconnected details her approach to inclusive education through low-tech solutions.