Savitribai Phule was the first female teacher of India. She was the wife of education reformer Joytiba Phule. She was a dedicated soul who taught all her life to educate widows and tried a lot to end the prevailing sati culture. In original sense of the term, her endeavour brought about many positive changes in Indian society. Indian celebrates the ‘first Female Teachers Day ‘ in honour of Savitribai Phule.
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Savitribai Phule Biography:-
Savitribai Phule was born on January 3rd, 1831 in Maharashtra, India. Sources reveal that she came of a so-called low-caste family because of which she was initially denied to receive formal education. An illiterate Savitribai got married at the age of 9. When she turned 13, she began studying in the third grade. Thus, she started her formal after her marriage. Her husband, Jyotiba Phule encouraged her lot to pursue education.
Savitribai Phule Education :
To be more specific, she received her education through the American Missionary, Cynthia Farrar, in the Teachers’ Training Program. Despite her young age she and her husband got involved in various social activities which included education of women, eradication of gender bias, and untouchability. A revolutionary woman as she was, she opened NGOS for the betterment of society. In addition to this, she established a total of 18 schools. The British Government feared that education might bring about revolutionary changes in society and hence they tried to halt her work. She, along with her husband, started the first indigenous school for girls in Pune at Bhide Wada.
Savitribai Phule Books:-
Savitribai Phule wrote several books which included Gulamgirl, A Forgotten Liberator, and Slavery.
Savitribai Phule Death:
In 1897 the third pandemic of the bubonic plague started to affect people in Nalasopara. Savitri devi and her adopted son Yashwant set up a clinic at the outskirts of Pune to help people get rid of their infections. In order to save the plague-infected son of Pandurang Gaekard, she got infected. Eventually, She passed away at 9 PM on March 1897 at the age of 66.