In Ranchi, Jharkhand, homeopathic doctor Dr K.P. Dey has spent more than three decades working to ensure that poverty does not prevent children from accessing education. In 1992, he began teaching just four children under a tree in the Jagannathpur slum.
What started as a small effort gradually grew into Birsa Shiksha Niketan, where more than 600 children are currently studying, according to a 2026 report. Over the years, the initiative has reportedly reached more than 15,000 underprivileged children. The school offers education from Pre-Nursery to Class 5, while free evening coaching is also provided for students from Classes 6 to 10.
A Glimpse Of Poverty Became A Lifelong Mission
Dr K.P. Dey moved to Ranchi from Bardhaman district in West Bengal in 1982. During his early years in the city, he came across the Jagannathpur slum while visiting the local Jagannath temple.
The living conditions of the families there left a deep impression on him. At the time, Dey was studying homeopathic medicine and earned a modest income by tutoring children.
A decade later, in 1992, he decided to act on what he had witnessed. He began teaching four children from the slum under the shade of a tree.
The beginning was modest, but the idea was simple: a child’s financial circumstances should not determine whether they get an education.
From Four Students To A School
As more children began attending the classes, convincing parents to send their children to study remained one of the early challenges.
Gradually, however, families began noticing changes in their children and their attitude towards education changed.
As the number of students grew, officials of Heavy Engineering Corporation Limited, or HEC, helped by providing a room with an asbestos roof. Dey continued expanding the initiative, which eventually developed into Birsa Shiksha Niketan in Jagannathpur, Ranchi.
Local reports in 2022 and 2023 mentioned around 700 students at the school. A Times of India report published in April 2026 said more than 600 children were studying there.
The school currently provides education from Pre-Nursery to Class 5. Students from Classes 6 to 10 can also attend free evening coaching.
A Flexible Fee Model For Families
One of the distinctive aspects of the school is its flexible approach towards fees.
According to the 2026 report, there is no rigid fee structure that prevents economically disadvantaged children from attending. Some parents contribute ₹50 or ₹100, while families who cannot afford to pay are not required to do so.
The model is based on the principle that a family’s financial condition should not become a barrier to a child’s education.
This distinction is important. Rather than describing the school as entirely fee-free, available reports indicate that it follows a flexible, pay-what-you-can approach.
Beyond Classrooms: Music, Coaching And A 30,000-Book Library
Education at Birsa Shiksha Niketan extends beyond regular classroom lessons.
The school provides free music classes for children. Community organisations have also supported its extracurricular and educational activities over the years.
One of its most notable resources is its library, which reportedly has more than 30,000 books. The library is also accessible to people living in the surrounding slum community.
Dey has appealed for more books, particularly material useful for older students and those preparing for competitive examinations.
The school has also received support from community organisations. Doctors’ Wives Association donated desks and benches, while Forest Officers Wives Association supported computer education and music-related activities.
A Mission That Has Reached More Than 15,000 Children
According to the 2026 Times of India report, Dey’s initiative has provided education to more than 15,000 children from underprivileged communities over the years.
This figure refers to the total number of children reached by the initiative over time, rather than the number of students currently enrolled at the school.
The impact of the initiative can also be seen through former students and families who continue to associate themselves with the school. Some former students have returned to enrol their own children, reflecting the trust the institution has built within the community.
Education And Healthcare Under One Mission
Dey’s work has not been limited to education.
Reports also state that he has provided free medical treatment to people living in the slum community. His work has therefore combined two fundamental needs of disadvantaged communities: access to education and basic healthcare.
For more than three decades, he has continued working with families who often face financial barriers to accessing both.
The Changemaker Who Started With Four Children
Dr K.P. Dey’s journey is a reminder that social change does not always begin with large institutions, substantial funding or government programmes.
Sometimes, it starts with one person recognising a problem and deciding to do something about it.
In 1992, Dey had four students and a tree under which they could sit and learn. More than three decades later, his initiative has grown into a school serving hundreds of children, a library with thousands of books and an educational effort that has reportedly reached more than 15,000 children.
His story is not simply about the growth of a school. It is about what sustained commitment can create when education is treated not as a privilege, but as an opportunity every child should have.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Dr K.P. Dey’s journey shows how meaningful change can emerge from a small, consistent effort. His work in Ranchi demonstrates the impact that one individual can have when they remain committed to a community for decades. At the same time, stories like this underline the importance of community participation and institutional support in making such initiatives sustainable. From four children under a tree to hundreds of students in a school, Dey’s journey offers a powerful reminder that education can become a pathway to change when access is placed before affordability.
