Solan teacher selected for national award

Shashi Paul, a dedicated educator from Solan district, has been selected for the prestigious National Teacher Award 2025 by the Government of India.

Paul’s passion for teaching extends beyond books as he has a wide array of experience in his over 14-year service. Inclusive education, digital innovations and community-driven school transformation are among his key achievements.

During the Covid lockdown, he offered free online coaching classes to underprivileged students enabling over 220 children secure admissions in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya and other reputed institutions.

Committed to experiential and child-centric education, Paul’s efforts are much more as he established science and learning labs in rural schools, transforming classrooms into spaces of inquiry and practical exploration.

He also played a pivotal role in curriculum development under the State Council of Research and Training, Solan, and Samagra Shiksha, which comprised designing workbooks and training modules, utilising his experience in empowering both students and teachers.

Beyond academics, Paul has been a driving force in infrastructural development through community mobilisation. By engaging School Management Committees, Panchayats, alumni groups and organisations like Rotary and Lions Club, he mobilised resources for slew of initiatives like building child-friendly toilets, installing safe drinking water facilities, creating green spaces, besides setting up a modern computer lab with 10 systems at Government Primary School, Shamror.

These efforts not only enriched school environment but also boosted enrolment and retention in government schools.