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The National Awards to Teachers (NAT) was first instituted in the year 1958 to felicitate remarkable teachers and headmasters in their quest to improve the quality of school education and enrich their students’ learning experiences. Every year, on 5th September India celebrates, the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, as National Teachers’ Day.

| National Teachers’ Award, 2024

National Teacher’s Award 2024 have been conferred to 82 selected Awardees by President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu on 5th September 2024 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Each award carries a certificate of merit, a cash award of Rs. 50,000 and a silver medal. The awardees would also get an opportunity to interact with the Hon’ble Prime Minister. 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.

| NAT Awardees from Department of School Education & Literacy

The Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, has selected 50 teachers for this year’s National Teachers' Awards. They have been selected through a rigorous transparent and online three stages, i.e., District, State and National level selection process by the Department of School Education and Literacy.

The 50 selected teachers are from 28 States, 3 UTs and 6 Organizations. Out of 50 selected teachers, 34 are males, 16 are female, 2 are differently abled and 1 working with CWSN.

| NAT Awardees from Higher Education Institutions

For NAT 2024, 16 teachers from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Polytechnics have been selected. These educators have demonstrated excellence in areas such as Teaching Learning Effectiveness, Outreach activities, Research and Innovation, and Sponsored Research/ Faculty Development Programs/ Consultancy Teaching. Of the above, Learning Effectiveness & Outreach activities have the preponderant weightage. 

| Purpose of National Awards to Teachers

The purpose of the National Awards to Teachers is to celebrate the unique contribution of some of the finest teachers in the country and to honour those teachers who, through their commitment and industry, have not only improved the quality of school education but also enriched the lives of their students. In the year 2023, it was decided to institute two categories of awards for HEIs and Polytechnics under the umbrella of NAT, hitherto restricted to School teachers only. 

| Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for the National Awards for school teachers and heads are set across multiple categories, including those from state-run, central government, and private schools. School teachers and Heads of Schools working in recognized primary/middle/high/higher secondary schools under the following categories:

1. Schools run by State Govt./UTs Administration, schools run by local bodies, schools aided by State Govt. and UT Administration and Private schools affiliated to State/UTs Board.
2. Central Govt. Schools i.e. Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs), Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), Sainik Schools run by Ministry of Defence (MoD), Schools run by Atomic Energy Education Society (AEES).
3. Schools affiliated to Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) (other than those at (a) and (b) above)
4. Schools affiliated to Council for Indian Schools Certificate Examination (CISCE) (Other than those at (a), (b) and (c) above)

Only regular Teachers and Heads of Schools with a minimum of ten years of service are eligible.

However, retired teachers who have not served at least a part of the calendar year—at least for four months, i.e., up to 30th April in the year to which the National Award relates, Teacher/Headmasters who have indulged in tuitions, contractual Teachers, and Shiksha Mitras are not eligible. Educational Administrators, Inspectors of Education, and the staff of training Institutes are also not eligible for these awards.

It is a self-nominating Award. Eligible teachers and headteachers of schools can apply directly by filling out the application form online through the web portal before the prescribed cut-off date.

| Evaluation Criteria

The applicants are evaluated based on the evaluation matrix consisting of two types of criteria:

Objective criteria: Under this, the teachers are awarded marks based on clearly given logic against each of the objective criteria. These criteria are given a weightage of 10 out of 100.

Criteria based on performance: Under this, teachers are awarded marks on criteria based on performance, e.g., initiatives to improve learning outcomes, innovative experiments undertaken, organisation of extra and co-curricular activities, use of Teaching Learning Material, social mobility, ensuring experiential learning, unique ways to ensure physical education for students, etc. These criteria are given a weightage of 90 out of 100.

The selection procedure for NAT-2024 involved a two-step process;

1. Evaluation by Preliminary Search-cum Screening Committee for initial shortlisting of nominees and
2. Committee of 'Jury' for selection of awardees from the shortlisted nominees. 

| Performance Indicative Areas

The selection of teachers for the awards is done based on their performance in the following indicative areas:

 

 

1. Innovative pedagogy and joyful learning

Using joyful activities like story-telling, arts, games, sports, examples, etc in order to ensure that education is maximally relatable, relevant, interesting, and effective for our students.

2. Use of technology for learning

Innovating and channelling cost-effective tech resources for enriching classroom learning, creating ICT content as envisioned under NEP.

3. Learning material and mentorship

Create low-cost teaching-learning materials and undertake mentorship and nurturance beyond classroom walls for the holistic development of students.

4. Engagement of the community

Mobilizing stakeholders in the community and meaningfully engaging them in various school development activities, such as school management committees, social audits, increasing enrolment, uplifting deprived children, mobilising resources, etc.

5. Governance

Strengthening school administration by adopting innovative measures to improve attendance, school management systems, staff training, programme monitoring, etc

6. Delivery of FLN

Adoption of various strategies to improve foundational literacy and numeracy skills in school

| Qualitative Assessment Indicators

Qualitative Assessment is done by an Independent Jury & Criteria for the category of awards. Candidates are evaluated based on their application letter and a presentation comprising of following aspects, which are indicative in nature, not exhaustive.

1. Demonstration of an innovative mindset.
2. Teacher’s design and implementation of methods showed innovation and out-of-the-box thinking.
3. The innovation in the methodology addressed a felt need or issue in the school, classroom, students, or community.
4. In addition to innovation, the design and delivery of the pedagogy reflected sustainability, quality, inclusiveness, and impact.
5. Contributed significantly to strengthening collaboration and communication in the school teaching community.
6. Demonstrating community spirit and going the extra mile for others in the interactions with students and their parents.
7. The teacher has effectively aligned the school's / nation’s vision and mission with the aspirational goals of the student and parent community.
8. Demonstrate a clear-cut idea and vision for change.
9. Designing and implementing actions to achieve the change.
10. The interventions adopted clearly visualized the change sought and the process to be followed to make that change happen.
11. The teacher successfully achieved the change sought, which made a visible difference in the students and community.
12. The design and delivery of the interventions ensured that the changes were long-term and sustainable in nature.
13. The teacher demonstrated agreed community values throughout the initiative.

In conclusion, the Ministry of Education's National Awards to Teachers (NAT) program aims to honor the exceptional contributions of educators across India, celebrate their dedication to improving the quality of education, and foster a culture of innovation and excellence.

References

• https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2049495
• https://nationalawardstoteachers.education.gov.in/
• https://www.awards.gov.in/Home/AwardLibrary
• https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2033735
• https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2030217
• https://nationalawardstoteachers.education.gov.in/Guidelines.aspx
• https://nationalawardstoteachers.education.gov.in/AboutUs.aspx
• https://nationalawardstoteachers.education.gov.in/Gallery.aspx
• https://dsel.education.gov.in/sites/default/files/nat_booklet.pdf
• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID

National Awards for Teachers

Santosh Kumar/ Ritu Kataria/Apoorva Mahiwal

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