Babar Ali – The Youngest Headmaster in the World

Most nine-year-olds rush home from school to play with friends or finish homework.

Babar Ali rushed home too – but only so he could start teaching his own class. With no official title, no salary, and no proper classroom, he became the youngest headmaster in the world.

His first “school” was a patch of ground under the open sky, his first “students” were kids who had never seen the inside of a classroom, and his mission was simple: give them the education they deserved, even if he had to do it alone.

A Classroom Born from Compassion

In the small village of Murshidabad, West Bengal, life moved at an unhurried pace. But for many children, education was not part of that life at all. Some worked in fields, some carried water for their families, and others cared for younger siblings. School was a dream they couldn’t afford.

Babar noticed this every day on his way to and from school. And one day, he decided that waiting for someone else to change things wasn’t an option.

So, he turned his own backyard into a makeshift classroom, gathering a few neighbourhood children and teaching them whatever he had learned that day.

What began as an informal gathering soon became something bigger. Word spread through the village that a boy was teaching for free, and more children began showing up.

Over time, with help from well-wishers and donations, the backyard transformed into Anand Shiksha Niketan (“Home of Joyful Learning”). The “school” welcomed children who had never held a pencil before, offering them not just literacy but hope.

Babar continued his own education in the mornings and returned in the afternoons to teach. His students came barefoot, with worn-out books, but they brought with them an unshakable eagerness to learn.

Babar’s goal was simple: to break the cycle of poverty through education. He knew that if these children didn’t get the chance to learn, their futures would be locked in the same struggles their families faced.

He didn’t wait for government programs or NGOs to take the lead. Instead, he proved that you’re never too young to make a difference — you just have to start.

As word of his work spread, Babar gained recognition from across India and beyond. He received awards, media coverage, and invitations to speak about his journey. But fame never distracted him from the chalkboard in his small school, his mission remained the same.

This is Just the Beginning…

Babar Ali’s journey is about more than teaching – it’s about having the courage to start something good, no matter how small.

This blog is just a sneak peek. In Unfold the Stories of Unsung Heroes – Part 3, you’ll find the full story of Babar Ali — the challenges he faced, the moments that shaped him, and the incredible ripple effect of his work. Plus, you’ll meet nine other amazing people from around the world who are quietly making our world better.