Three teachers from Jharkhand will be receiving the National Teachers Award that is conferred annually by the Union ministry of human resources (MHRD).
Two of them are government schoolteachers Smith Kumar Soni from Rajkiyakrit Madhya Vidyalaya, Bano in Simdega district and Nirupama Kumari from Ram Rudra Plus 2 High School in Chas, Bokaro. The third teacher is Ishita Dey from Tarapore School, Agrico, Jamshedpur.
Usually, teachers are given certificates on Teachers’ Day in New Delhi but this year no communication has yet been shared about the awards ceremony.
Smith Kumar Soni Sourced by the Telegraph
The recipients of the national ward are assessed on a number of criteria like innovative teaching programmes, achievements in professional development, community impact, contributing beyond the call of duty, academic reputation and genuine love for children.
Those who have been selected from Jharkhand have made stellar contributions. While Smith Kumar Soni worked hard to increase girls’ enrolment in schools and fought against human trafficking and child marriage, Nirupama Kumari focused on language learning, e-content and girls’ education. Dey, on the other hand, worked on innovative teaching in mathematics, introduced children to a charitable initiative called the wall of kindness and a concept of integrated projects.
“I wanted to do something on human trafficking which is rampant in Simdega district. In the last school I was in, Project Balika Uchcha Vidyalaya, there were 67 girls when I joined on deputation. I made it a point to meet every villager and ensure that they enrol their girls. In two years, the number of girls was 252. I want to ensure people understand the importance of education,” said Soni whose school has also received the Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar.
Nirupama Kumari Sourced by the Telegraph
Nirupama Kumari has worked to improve the information and communications technology (ICT) and has handled the online classroom education and e-content effectively.
“There were many students who did not have smartphones. So, we sought the help of students who were equipped with smartphones to share content. Also, we introduced cultural activities so that students stay in Whatsapp groups. We also gave them e-certificates,” said Nirupama, a Hindi teacher, who learnt and curated a website, www.econtenthindi.org, to share lessons.
Ishita Dey, on the other hand, has passionately worked towards establishing a mathematics laboratory at Tarapore School.
Ishita Dey Sourced by the Telegraph
“It feels great. It’s an achievement of a lifetime. Whatever I have achieved is because of my management and principal Amy Billimoria. She has taught me and allowed me to mistakes while learning,” said Dey.
After teachers are nominated by the state government and various boards, the Centre takes a final call. The award carries a medal, certificate and Rs 50,000 prize money.
It is necessary for applicants to have at least 15 years of teaching experience to be eligible for the award.
