Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Sept 2: A teacher who has worked diligently over the years to shape the future of children and redirect the focus toward the education of girl children at a school in south Kashmir’s Anantnag has been selected for the National Teachers’ Award 2023.
Reyaz Ahmed Sheikh, a teacher at Govt. Middle School, Poshnari, Chittergul, Anantnag, has played a crucial role in capturing the attention of parents in the area, who used to send hardly any of their daughters to the school.
He has achieved this through his innovative approach and by engaging students through various learning methods. “When I joined the school in 2009, there were a total of 37 students, including only a few girls. I was informed that the education of girls was not a priority for their parents. I even met with the parents, but they did not cooperate,” he said.
To engage the students, he ensured the creation of teaching and learning materials using items he acquired from his home.
“Today, I have more than 600 teaching and learning materials at the school, including nearly 50 science projects. It was these initiatives that attracted parents, and now the total enrollment at my school is 100, with nearly 70 per cent being girls. These parents now allow their daughters to participate in snow skiing in Gulmarg,” he added.
He mentioned that his school has now become a model school in the district, thanks to the consistent support from the district administration, especially K.K. Siddha and SSP Imtiyaz Hussain.
“There are also 13 students who are orphans, and I am ensuring that all their needs are met so they can receive an education,” he said.
Reyaz has already arrived in New Delhi along with his mother and is set to be received at the Hotel Ashoka on Sunday.
“I had the possibility of bringing along one person from the family, and I chose someone who brought me into this world—my mother; I owe her everything,” he said.
It is to be noted here that a total of 75 teachers have been selected across the country for the award, which will be conferred on them by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, on September 5.
Every year, India celebrates September 5th, the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, as National Teachers’ Day.
The purpose of the National Teachers’ Award is to celebrate the unique contribution of teachers in the country and to honour those teachers who, through their commitment and dedication, have not only improved the quality of education but also enriched the lives of their students.
Each award carries a certificate of merit, a cash award of Rs. 50,000, and a silver medal. The awardees will also have the opportunity to interact with the Prime Minister.
Starting this year, the scope of the National Teachers’ Award has been expanded to include teachers from the Department of Higher Education and the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship.
This year, 50 School Teachers, 13 teachers from Higher education, and 12 teachers from the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship will be awarded.
To recognize innovative teaching, research, community outreach, and the novelty of work, nominations were sought in online mode to maximize participation. The Shiksha Mantri constituted three separate Independent National Juries comprising eminent individuals for the selection of teachers.
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