On 5 September 2025, the grand hall of Vigyan Bhavan echoed with applause as President Droupadi Murmu conferred the National Teachers Award 2025 on 45 educators. These honourees were not confined to urban institutions but represented remote rural and tribal schools, where challenges were immense and innovations remarkable.
Odisha: Puppets Bring Classrooms Alive
In Malkangiri, Basanta Kumar Rana used puppetry, murals, and creative storytelling to draw children into learning. Subjects once ignored turned into interactive art. His efforts led to attendance increasing from 86 to 148 students in two years, transforming the school into a hub of curiosity.
Uttar Pradesh: Classrooms of Hope
The state saw two outstanding teachers honoured.
- Madhurima Tiwari from Mirzapur expanded her school’s enrolment from 56 to 218 students, encouraging dropouts to return. She built student parliaments, eco-groups, and peer mentorship networks, redefining education as community empowerment.
- Ram Lal Singh Yadav of Bhadohi turned village walls into educational canvases during the pandemic. His evening peer-learning sessions ensured continuity, with older students guiding younger ones.
Maharashtra: Innovation Amid Challenges
Several educators from Maharashtra stood out for their transformative initiatives.
- In Mumbai, Sonia Kapoor designed games, puppet shows, and a vegetable garden to blend values with learning and sustainability.
- From Nanded, Mohammad Shaikh fought dropout rates by renting rooms for Urdu-medium classes and distributing sanitary napkins to over 2,000 girls, breaking barriers of stigma.
- In Latur, Sandipan Jagdale embraced inclusivity by translating textbooks into Waddar, preparing Braille music books, and writing local songs for voter awareness.
Telangana: Lessons Beyond Textbooks
In remote villages, teachers used local traditions and language resources to engage first-generation learners. By tailoring material to tribal dialects, they helped children connect school lessons to their everyday lives.
Significance of the Awards
The National Teachers Award 2025 has spotlighted educators who prove that learning thrives even in adversity. Their work shows that perseverance, creativity, and inclusivity are the real engines of educational progress. By bridging cultural, gender, and linguistic gaps, these teachers turned classrooms into sanctuaries of growth
