Chandigarh government school teacher bags National Award

Parveen Kumari, a government school teacher, has made Chandigarh proud by bagging the National Award.

Among 45 awardees from across the country, the trained graduate teacher (TGT) in social studies at Government Girls Senior Secondary School in Sector 20, Kumari, will receive the National Teachers’ Award 2025 from President Droupadi Murmu at a national-level function to mark the Teachers’ Day at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on September 5.

This was intimated by the Union Ministry of Education to the Chandigarh Administration on Monday.

In a demi-official letter, a copy of which is with The Tribune, Joint Secretary (I&T) to the Department of School Education & Literacy, Government of India Prachi Pandey informed the UT Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma and Education Secretary Prerna Puri that Parveen Kumari from Chandigarh was among the 45 best teachers who have been selected through a rigorous transparent and online three-stage selection process for the award.

Sharing details, the UT Director School Education Harsuhinder Pal Singh Brar said as a dedicated teacher, Parveen Kumari was focused with the overall development and results of her students. She is giving 100 per cent Board class result continuously. Her innovations were helpful not only in teaching methodologies, but also providing interesting learning to the girl students.

She has created a nursery with saplings of herbs and shrubs, a project that has been a truly enriching experience for her students. This initiative was based on experiential learning, where students learn by doing, and has proven to be highly effective in teaching various concepts in geography and economics. Through this project, the students have gained hands-on experience.

Speaking to The Tribune, the awardee said in the digital realm, she has taken significant strides by launching two podcasts and a YouTube channel designed to make education more accessible, interactive, and engaging for her students.

“Through these platforms, I conduct interviews, share blogs, record live visits, tell moral stories, and deliver conceptual lessons. These resources are particularly useful for students who need flexible, repeatable content due to learning gaps or language challenges. I have created and uploaded over 150 educational content pieces to national platforms like Diksha, PM Vidya, Kishor Manch, and DTH Chandigarh, with a focus on Hindi medium learners.”

Establishing Bal Sansad and SST lab with techno-equipped resources was an innovative approach that she was using to foster critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity among students. She also used role play, dancing, singing, and acting activities in teaching social science and social studies, which made learning engaging, interactive, and fun.

As the coordinator of the Student Police Cadet programme initiated by the Ministry of Education, she has been providing two-year police training to the girl students since 2018.

As the Guide Captain, she led two units of 62 girls, focusing on tenting, pitching, discipline, and physical skills. She participated in national and international jamborees, fostering cultural exchange and adaptability. She was serving as State Training Commissioner for Chandigarh and trains teachers, principals, and school heads from the government and private schools to establish Girl Guide units in their institutions. She also conducts state-level camps to promote scouting activities in Chandigarh.

She also facilitates scholarships and financial assistance to the economically weaker and orphan girl students.

She was recipient of Commendation Award 2021 by the Chandigarh Administration, State Teacher Award 2022, Special Recognition Award 2024, Eco-Warrior Award from Punjab Governor and the state-level recognition for the Kala Samriddhi project.

PROUD MOMENT: EDU SECY

“This success demonstrates that when we focus on the true essence of a teacher’s contribution — their work with students, their innovations in classrooms and their broader role in shaping society — we identify role models who can inspire at the national stage. This achievement not only brings pride to Chandigarh, but also sets a benchmark for other states and Union Territories in the way outstanding teachers are identified and celebrated.”

-PRERNA PURI, EDUCATION SECRETARY

OUR EVALUATION VALIDATED: DSE

“The Chandigarh Education Department’s nominee’s victory at the national level underscores the appropriateness and effectiveness of the city’s evaluation framework. By prioritising substance over style, the department has ensured that educators making a real difference in classrooms and communities receive the recognition they deserve.”

-HPS BRAR, DIRECTOR SCHOOL EDUCATION