Two dedicated teachers hailing from Odisha, Subhash Chandra Rout of Brundaban Government High School in Jagatsinghpur and Sashisekhar Kar Sharma of Kenduapada Nodal High School in Bhadrak district, are set to receive the prestigious National Awards to Teachers 2023 in New Delhi on September 5. The award acknowledges their exceptional contributions to education, specifically for their innovative teaching methods and efforts to prevent dropouts. The Education Ministry unveiled the list of awardees, wherein these teachers were highlighted for their impactful initiatives. Among their innovative approaches are techniques like ‘Ring the bell and drink water’ to encourage water consumption among children, ‘Sabu dina jiba school’ to reduce dropout rates, Saturday’s zero period activities, technology-driven learning, affordable teaching materials, ‘my book my buddy’, and ‘sing and learn’ strategies for foundational literacy and numeracy.

Amid the COVID pandemic, Subhash Chandra Rout ensured consistent student attendance in online classes and used creative storytelling to eliminate math-related fears and create an enjoyable learning environment. Sashisekhar Kar Sharma, the headmaster of Kenduapada Nodal High School, maintains his role as a dedicated teacher by conducting four classes daily alongside administrative responsibilities. The Odisha government’s School and Mass Education Department congratulated both educators for their remarkable achievements. The recognition underscores their vital role in inspiring and nurturing a passion for learning, reflecting the essence of Teacher’s Day in honoring exceptional educators.