Nagaland Educator Peleno Petenilhu Receives National Teachers Award 2025

Peleno Petenilhu, an accomplished educator from the John Government Higher Secondary School in Viswema, Kohima, has been awarded the prestigious National Teachers Award 2025. She received this honor on September 5, 2025, at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi, where she stood out among 65 distinguished educators from across India. With approximately 9.8 million teachers working in the country, this recognition reflects Peleno’s exceptional contributions to the teaching community.

Her educational career spans over two decades, beginning at Government High School Seikhazou. Since 2014, she has been a pivotal figure at John Government Higher Secondary School, inspiring both students and colleagues with her guiding philosophy: “Education with Empathy, Leadership with Purpose.” Peleno’s dedication is particularly evident through her initiative “Each One Teach One,” which empowers Class 12 students to mentor juniors from underprivileged backgrounds, promoting the idea that education extends beyond traditional learning environments.

In her role as a mentor, Peleno has demonstrated a commitment to fostering not only academic success but also vital life skills. The peer-learning model she created has significantly empowered mentees and instilled leadership qualities in the mentors themselves. This aligns perfectly with her motto: “Inspire One, Empower Many.”

Peleno’s commitment to education transcends the classroom. She actively works to reduce student dropouts by implementing strategies such as home visits, sponsoring admission fees, and providing mobile phones to disadvantaged learners. Her belief in “Transforming Lives Through Compassionate Teaching” drives her ongoing efforts to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed.

As the President of the English Professional Learning Community (PLC) in Kohima District, Peleno fosters collaboration among educators. She utilizes technology effectively, facilitating peer learning and professional development through WhatsApp groups and online meetings. In addition, she has made substantial contributions to digital education by creating e-content for the ABHYAAS Learning Management System and developing lesson plans for the DIKSHA platform.

In recognition of her unwavering commitment to education, Peleno was also awarded the State Teacher Award in 2024. Her life and work are a testament to the belief that “One Teacher Can Transform Countless Futures.”

Peleno Petenilhu continues to fulfill her calling, embodying the spirit of education by “Lighting Minds, Building Futures.” Her achievements not only enhance the reputation of Nagaland’s educational sector but also inspire future generations of educators.