In 1905, two friends in Surat, Chunilal Ghelabhai Shah, a postal clerk, and Jaikishandas Athawala, a journalist, set up the Sarvajanik Education Society (SES) to provide affordable, quality education. Inspired by Pune’s Deccan Education Society, they began with The English School, popularly called Dhingli (Doll) School, charging as little as eight paisa per month compared to missionary schools’ high fees.

By 1912, SES was formally registered as a philanthropic trust. Its unique model combined English-medium education with Indian languages like Sanskrit and Gujarati, and it attracted renowned teachers. The society gradually expanded into colleges, hostels, research centres, and cultural education such as music schools.

The alumni list is illustrious: writer Kanhaiyalal Munshi, former CJI A.M. Ahmadi, Army Chief Arun Shridhar Vaidya, Gandhian Manibhai Desai, alongside modern achievers like international athletes and Guinness record holders.

Today, SES runs 32 institutions with over 28,000 students, including schools, colleges, and a private university (since 2021). It continues its tradition of low fees, scholarships, and hostels for tribal students. Looking ahead, SES plans to set up a medical college and hospital, strengthening its century-old mission of “education for all.”