The second edition of the Telegraph School Awards for Excellence North Bengal 2024, to be held on Monday and Tuesday at the Dinabandhu Mancha in Siliguri, has already set a new record.

The number of participating schools has almost doubled compared to its debut year.

Representatives of The Telegraph Education Foundation (TTEF) who are hosting the event, said that this year, over 65 schools have participated in the event.

In 2023, the number of participating schools was 36.

“The surge in participation (this year) was anticipated. This is a testament to the growing enthusiasm and dedication towards educational excellence across the region,” said Amitabha Datta, the chairman of TTEF which has been hosting the awards in Calcutta for the past 29 years.

“During the next two days, we are expecting a vibrant gathering of students, teachers, and parents, all coming together to celebrate academic brilliance, innovative initiatives, and impactful contributions to society,” Datta said.

A senior teacher from a Siliguri-based school that has been participating in the award since last year said the platform has encouraged students to think beyond textbooks and holistically embrace learning.

“We participated in the awards last year. We are returning this year with more students. It has been deeply rewarding,” he said.

This year’s event will feature inspiring speeches, narrations of captivating performances and recognitions in diverse categories, including academic excellence, leadership, extracurricular achievements and, last but not the least, social impact.

“Being at the award function for the second consecutive year would be an honour,” said a student from a Darjeeling-based school, who is hoping for a repeat recognition in the community service category.

“We have worked hard to make a difference. It would mean a lot to see our efforts acknowledged once again,” the youngster said.

As the nominations for The Telegraph School Awards for Excellence North Bengal 2024 opened, schools took up the task of showcasing their commitment to driving positive change.

Students across schools said the excitement was contagious.

“I look forward to participating again and winning recognition for my STEM project. The prospect of receiving such an honour motivates me to continue exploring science,” a young innovator said.

A key feature this year is scholarships and financial aid for deserving students. Many schools have pledged to support talented students who face financial hurdles.

“Ensuring that every student has access to education is our collective responsibility,” said the principal of a participating school. “The Telegraph Education Foundation's commitment to providing scholarships reflects a genuine investment in nurturing future leaders,” the principal added.