Former President of India Dr Pranab Mukherjee conferred LPU’s ‘Transforming Education Awards’ upon India’s Best Schools & Teachers
Jalandhar: The schools, in conjunction with teachers, make both unique and profound impacts on students’ lives by launching many of them into successful careers of vast potential futures. To acknowledge the dedicated efforts of such best teachers and their schools, Lovely Professional University (LPU) as its Corporate Social Responsibility launched “Transforming Education Awards” on Teachers day (5th September 2017). For this first of its kind awards in the country, LPU had made an earnest approach to former President of India Dr Pranab Mukherjee to bestow honours upon the country wide chosen schools, centers, teachers, mentors and students. Consenting for a unique initiative to recognize, respect and reward grassroots’ educational transformations, Dr Mukherjee has been benevolent to celebrate the award ceremony at his residence in New Delhi. During the award ceremony, cash awards worth Rs One Crore in the form of teaching grants to schools, coaching centers; and, appreciation awards to teachers, mentors and students were bestowed upon.
On this occasion Mr. Mukherjee also launched “Pranab Sir ki Pathsahala” his initiative to stay connected with the students and answer questions of the inquisitive youth. During his first “pathshala” with LPU students he answered question related to reservation, equality and his vision of future India. On this occasion Lovely Group Chairman, Mr. Ramesh Mittal; Chancellor LPU, Mr. Ashok Mittal and LPU Pro Chancellor Mrs Rashmi Mittal were also present.
Addressing the winners, Dr Pranab Mukherjee said: “I appreciate the unique awarding approach of LPU. This innovative approach in the realms of education will certainly foster a supportive ecosystem in the propagation of quality education in the country. I feel these awards have now become a national celebration of creativity and innovation at and for grassroots.” During his interaction with students Dr Mukherjee also exhorted all segments of the Indian society to converge their relevant efforts to make India inclusive, innovative and responsive to the aspirations of common people.
During ‘Transforming Education Awards’ voting process, students of different schools and coaching Institutes throughout India participated and gave credit by uploading a video about their teacher. The videos were made available for voting. The response from the students, teachers and schools had been overwhelming with 3495 nominations, 6 Lakh+ votes and, 30 lakh+ views. Based on voting top 115 videos (86 from Schools and 29 from Coaching Institutes) were shortlisted for Jury round.
After Jury round, 13 Schools got teaching grant worth Rs. 1 Lac each and their teachers & students got awards of Rs. 25000 and Rs. 10000 respectively. In addition to 13 Schools, 76 more videos won teaching grant of 25000 (for School) and award of Rs. 10000 and Rs. 2000 for nominated teacher and student respectively. In Coaching Institute Category, 29 Videos won 25000 as teaching grant for Institute, Rs. 10000 for nominated teachers and Rs. 2000 for student.
LPU Chancellor Mr Ashok Mittal informs: “Realizing to the core that many schools and teachers of the country create intense impressions upon Indian students by leading them into bright careers ahead, we have decided to acknowledge such dedicated efforts on national level as per our CSR activity. “Transforming Education Awards” are to recognize the devoted services of all those who by going extra mile make unique difference in their students’ lives.” Thanking Dr Mukherjee for his generosity in consenting to award the winners and launching his initiative with LPU students, Mr Mittal added: “We congratulate all the winners and thank the students who spared time to nominate and recognize those who prove special in their teaching and student support.”
Illustrative, LPU also organizes an annual event “Explorica” to explore young talents. Here, a large number of novel projects of students of class 10 till 10+2 from different schools are showcased for all to admire and evaluate. This year 15000+ students from 200 schools visited LPU campus and had first-hand experience of the career options available to them. 8 schools have been declared as Best Performing School, 1 student has been adjudged as State Topper and 7 as District Topper on the basis of their performance in ‘Explorica’.