Dr Shashi Tharoor, Union Minister Of State for HRD, inaugurated the Pearson Teaching Awards in India
Pearson Education Services, the leading educational products and services provider, along with partner NDTV, hosted the first-ever teaching awards show on 22nd January, 2013 at New Delhi. The awards ceremony was presided over by Dr Shashi Tharoor, Union Minister of State for HRD. The gathering witnessed support from individuals belonging to various walks of life; from teaching professionals and academia, to knowledge leaders and education policy makers. Among other celebrities who attended were actor and social activist, Shabana Azmi, and legendary cricketer and Pearson brand ambassador, Anil Kumble.
“The response to the award ceremony has been overwhelming and encouraging. The awards have displayed the value and importance of teachers in our society. I would like to congratulate Pearson for their commendable effort in recognising teachers who give so much to the society and shape the minds of children, and in more ways than one, help build our future. I think this is just the beginning and we have a long way to go, but we have made a great start,” said Kumble.
Nominations were invited under 20 categories: Excellence in Teaching in Government Schools, Excellence in Teaching in Private Schools, Best Pre-Primary/ Kindergarten Teacher, Outstanding Contribution to Special Children, Special Teacher, Innovation in School Teaching, Outstanding Performance in Social Contribution through Teaching, Teacher of the Year – Male, Teacher of the Year– Fe- male, and Jurors’ Distinction Award.
The background
The Pearson Teaching Awards were conceptualised to celebrate the best of the teaching profession; the true heroes of the classroom who work tirelessly to teach, inspire, nurture and shape the future of not just students, but the entire nation.
The journey
- In July 2012, the idea was born. Pearson partnered with NDTV Profit to plan and execute the idea
- In July 2012, the Digital Empowerment Foundation, the founder of Manthan Awards, came on board as the Process Partners to handle the entire backend process of re- ceiving applications and shortlisted the finalists
- In August 2012, Intel joined hands with the initiative as the Technology Partner and digitalLEARNING as the Print Media Partner
- In September 2012, the awards were announced at the press conference in Bangalore in the presence of Pearson’s brand ambassador, Anil Kumble, addressing the media and declaring nominations open
- In October 2012, panel discussion on the topic “Is India ready to push the envelope on education?” aired on NDTV, which served as the curtain raiser to the awards on television
- The nominations were closed on 15th December, 2012. There were 1,900 applications received from across the country
- Finally, on 22nd January 2013, the Grand Finale was held with Dr Shashi Tharoor, MoS, MHRD, gracing the occasion as the chief guest
The process
Call for entries began on 15th September, 2012, and was supported by activities like press conference, promos on NDTV, and on-ground outreach to more than 20,000 schools via posters, EDMs and through telecalling. Applications accepted online through the NDTV website. There were 1,900 applications received at the end of the nomination period. An eminent panel of prejurists sifted through all the nominations and selected 75 finalists under 20 categories.
The winners
Best Pre-Primary Teacher – Govt School
G B Padamavathi, Govt Higher Primary School, Karnataka
Best Pre-Primary Teacher – Private School
Rajul Haresh Mehta, Pravrutti Vidyalaya Bal Bhavan, Gujarat
Innovation in School Teaching
Venkata Raghavendra Rao Rachuri, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Andhra Pradesh
Outstanding Contribution to Special Children
Sumathi Ramjee, Deepika School, Karnataka
Outstanding Performance in Social Contribution through Teaching
Vasant Rathwa, Vidya Programme, Gujarat
Special Teacher (Differently-Abled)
G V S Nageswararao, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Andhra Pradesh
Teaching Excellence in a Language – Govt School
Raju Vitthalrao Dhoke, Z P Upper Primary School, Maharashtra
Teaching Excellence in a Language -Private School
Sumandeep Thakur, Prakash Private School, Haryana
Teaching Excellence in Mathematics – Govt School
Dr Donnipad Manjunath, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Maharashtra
Teaching Excellence in Mathematics – Private School
Hira Prasad, Birla High School, Junior Section, West Bengal
Teaching Excellence in Science – Govt School
Karunaidoss, Government High School, Viswanatham, Tamil Nadu
Teaching Excellence in Science – Private School
Harshala Raghuram, The New Cambridge High School (ICSE), Karnataka
Teaching Excellence in Social Studies – Govt School
Sujatha Hegde, Govt High School, Karnataka
Teaching Excellence in Social Studies – Private School
Fr Dr Mathew Thengumpally, K E Carmel Central School, Kerala
Teaching Excellence in Sports – Govt School
Ramu, Calve College Government Higher Secondary School, Puducherry
Teaching Excellence in Sports – Private School
Kalidasan, P S Senior Secondary School, Tamil Nadu
Teacher of the Year – Female
G B Padamavathi, Govt Higher Primary School, Karnataka
Teacher of the Year – Male
Fr Dr Mathew Thengumpally, K E Carmel Central School, Kerala
Jurors’ Special Award
Sumathi Ramjee, Deepika School, Karnataka
