Shweta Sharma Wins National Teachers’ Award for Innovative Methods

A government school teacher from Deoghar district, Shweta Sharma, has been awarded the prestigious National Teachers’ Award 2025 for her innovative teaching methods. She is one of 45 educators recognized nationwide and the only representative from Jharkhand this year. The awards will be presented by President Droupadi Murmu during a ceremony at Rastrapati Bhavan on September 5, coinciding with Teachers’ Day in India.

Sharma’s teaching journey began in 2004 as an assistant teacher at a primary school in Kushmaha. She attributes her success to her play-based teaching methods and strong connection with her students. “I believe my approach to align the national curriculum framework for early education by crafting a learning kit utilizing local art, culture, and folk elements caught the attention of the award selectors,” Sharma explained.

Her innovative project, named “Abua Jadui Pitara” (Our Magical Box), incorporates elements of Sohrai art, Baidyanathdham paintings, fabric dolls, and traditional musical instruments like the ‘jhanjhar’ and ‘daffli’. In collaboration with the community, Sharma developed this kit and even invested part of her salary to fund it. Beyond her teaching role, she has also contributed as a textbook creator and illustrator.

Sharma was previously honored with the National ICT Award in 2019 by the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development for her innovative use of information and communication technology in education. Reflecting on her recent accolade, she expressed deep gratitude: “When I learned about the award, tears welled up in my eyes. The first words I spoke were – ‘Yes, I’ve won!’ This victory is not just mine; it belongs to my students, their parents, and the entire community of Deoghar.”

The district education officer of Deoghar, Vinod Kumar, praised Sharma’s achievement, stating, “This is a proud moment for Jharkhand. Shweta Sharma’s selection is a testament to the talent we have in Deoghar. We hope our teachers continue this tradition of excellence.”

Award recipients of the National Teachers’ Award 2025, as announced by the Union Ministry of Education, will receive a certificate of merit, a cash prize of Rs 50,000, and a silver medal from the President. This recognition highlights the importance of innovative teaching practices and their impact on students’ learning experiences across India.