Kolkata, September 3, 2025

 

The Ministry of Education, Government of India, has announced the National Teacher Award 2025 for Ms. Tanusree Das, an exemplary educator whose pioneering initiatives have transformed her school into a centre of holistic learning and community development.

Ms. Das, who began her teaching career in 1999, has been serving as the Head Teacher of Kuchlachati Primary School located in an economically backward village inhabited by tribal Shabar and underprivileged minority communities, in the West Medinipur district of West Bengal. When she joined the institution, the school faced low enrolment, high dropout rates, and widespread early marriages among girls. Through her innovative and compassionate approach, she has successfully achieved zero dropouts since 2016 and converted the school into an instrument of social reform.

Her core area of appreciation lies in innovative pedagogy and teaching for broader social transformation. She has developed subject-specific classrooms enriched with low-cost and no-cost teaching-learning materials, co-created with students and colleagues. The school extensively uses technology in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) and integrates co-curricular activities such as arts, theatre, music, gardening, and skill-based training to ensure well-rounded development.

Recognising the crucial role of families in children’s education, Ms. Das initiated several community-based programmes:

Formation of the Nari Shakti Group, which actively campaigns against child marriage and domestic violence.

Instituting the “Mother of the Year” Award to honour and motivate mothers.

Establishing a school bank, where students save small amounts through piggy banks from the time of admission, later used for books, higher studies, or emergencies.

Running a wellness corner, fondly called “Hospital” by students, to instil the value of health and care.

Her initiatives extend beyond academics, addressing social issues such as gender justice, financial literacy, and community welfare. The school also undertakes activities like collecting reusable clothes for distribution among villagers.

Under her leadership, the school has earned several recognitions, including:

Swachh Vidyalaya Award (2022)

Nirmal Vidyalaya Award (2023)

District-level Best Teaching-Learning Material Award (2025)

First Prize in District Short Film Competition (2025)

Ms. Das holds a Postgraduate degree in Arts and remains deeply committed to her mission of using education as a tool for social change, nurturing responsible citizens, and uplifting disadvantaged communities.

 

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PK/03.09.25

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