Chandigarh govt schoolteacher bags national award

A government school teacher made the city proud by bagging a 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-B here, Parveen Kumari, will get the National Teachers’ Award 2025 from the President Droupadi Murmu at a national level function to mark the Teachers’ Day at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on September 5.

The information was intimated by the Union Ministry of Education to the UT Administration on Monday.

In a demi-official letter, a copy of which is with the The Tribune, the 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 would receive the award on September 5.

“A Mini Ratna PSU under the Ministry of Education, has been engaged by the Ministry to produce short films on the work done by the teachers selected for the National Teachers’ Awards for this year. The teams of production firms shall visit the schools of the awardees very shortly for in-situ shooting of films.

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% Board class result continuously. Her innovations were helpful not only in teaching methodologies but also providing interesting learning to the girls’ students.

She has created a herbal nursery with saplings of herbs and shrubs, a project that has been a truly enriching experience for her students. Through this project, the girl 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.”

Her FLN worksheets for CWSN and SST workbooks for primary grades, supported by videos, cater to inclusive education, ensuring that no child is left behind. The creation of a lily pond was an innovative educational initiative by her that was providing hands-on learning experiences to the students.

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 was a recipient of Commendation Award 2021 by the UT 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.

Speaking of the award, Education Secretary Prerna Puri said, “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.”

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,” said HPS Brar, Director School Education.