Celebrating India's Education Heroes: Education Excellence Awards 2024-25

Revolutions happen every day in Indian classrooms. A teacher in a rural village learns how to make algebra work for struggling students. A preschool teacher creates a disability-friendly classroom. An edtech innovator develops products to bridge the digital divide. The Education Excellence Awards 2024-25 is here to celebrate these everyday heroes transforming lives through education.

We are looking for these exceptional individuals and institutions this year who go that extra mile. The teacher whose unconventional pedagogy has students really passionate about history. The school that has found ways to include first-generation learners. The teacher who counsels students way beyond class hours. The organization that's delivering quality education to local languages. These are the people and institutions redefining what education can achieve in India.

Consider the case of Mrs. Gupta, who had turned her tiny government school classroom in Bihar into a math heaven with bottle tops and street games. Or the Sunshine Preschool team in Chennai, where all children, from all abilities, learn together. These are not success stories to be sniffled over - they're blueprints for how we can improve education nationally. When we talk about this success, we inspire others and show that what can be achieved.

Anyone can nominate - maybe you have a wonderful teacher at your child's school, or a university lecturer who inspired you. After nominations close, we'll scrutinize every entry in depth. Finalists can ask us to visit their classrooms or conduct interviews with students and parents. We want to witness the real difference they're making. Final winners will be honored at a special event in New Delhi later this winter.

The champions will be recognized nationally, but there is more value. Their winning approaches will be shared with teachers everywhere in India. Policymakers will learn from their practices. Most importantly, it confirms the outstanding effort they are making every day, much of it unseen and underfunded.

As the National Education Policy 2020 is being pushed to its implementation in India, these teachers are at the forefront. They show that the change-generating education is not going to happen from policy documents but from dedicated individuals in classrooms, schools, and communities throughout the country.