Archana Nuguri has been a teacher at Mandal Parishad Primary School in Rebenapalli, Mancherial, Telangana for over 20 years. She teaches Telugu, English and Mathematics and says that she had only one goal in life since childhood – to become a teacher.
“I became a teacher in a government school when I was 19. I wanted to start teaching as soon as possible. I completed the teacher training program and appeared for the qualifying examination,’ says Archana Uttam India.
On 5 September 2023, he received the National Teacher Award from President Draupadi Murmu at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi. These awards are presented by the Ministry of Education to the best school teachers in the country who improve the quality of education and make a difference in the lives of students. This award was the culmination of his hard work and dedication to the teaching profession.
The 42-year-old head teacher first started working as a primary school class teacher in Telangana. From a nondescript center with just a few students, this teacher has transformed the school into a mecca of learning, providing holistic growth through various extracurricular activities.
The seeds of change were sown in Archana’s heart at home. He saw his grandfather, a teacher, ministering to students. “My grandfather used to teach many tribal students. He used to teach in our house and help in higher education. I aspire to be like him and help students,” adds the teacher.
Where it all began
Rebbenapally, where the school is located, faces many challenges in terms of infrastructure, access to education, and healthcare. When Archana joined the school in November 2000, there were only 34 students.
Coming from Mancherial district, she informed about the problems faced by the locals and the reasons why they do not send their children to school. She wanted to use the transformative power of education to help these students attend school everyday.
“There are some tribal settlements in this village. The occupation of the residents here is to collect raw materials from the forest. As these slums have no transport facilities, they don’t even have one sure road When I joined, my first mission was to ensure these children attend school,” says Archana Uttam India.
Archana started a campaign to send those children to school. She started going to those tribal settlements and talking to the parents.
“They have neither a good house, nor clothes to wear. They did not know about the school as no one was admitted from there. I used to visit them everyday for 15 days to convince them. I told them how important education is and how it can help their children live a better life,” adds Archana.
She extolled the benefits of education and the change it could make.
“I would show them videos of people who came from similar backgrounds and are in better positions today. Through education, they were able to change their lives. I asked these parents to give their children equal opportunities to progress,” she added.
Many problems paved the way to success
Archana managed to convince the parents and the children started coming to school soon. However, he soon began to see students drop out. On enquiry, he realized that transportation was a major challenge. How can only these children come to the school which is 5 km away raw The road to it?
To solve this problem, Archana arranged for an auto to pick up and drop students daily at her own expense. Her tireless efforts to educate the tribal students of the village has today strengthened 275 students including 103 girls.
Apart from this, she also worked in the construction of school infrastructure. For this she took the help of former student of her school Rajendra Prasad, who is now abroad. NGOs like Bring a Smile Foundation, Padmavati Charitable Trust and local politicians also pitched in to help her.
She was able to buy borewells, purified water plants, furniture and most importantly, build a beautiful library with 1000 books with their help.
“Rajendra has contributed greatly to the development of the school. He is the person through whom we have received the most donations. Washington Telangana Association (WATA) his efforts helped us to get 40 benches for the school. A local MLA installed a borewell and RO plant in the school,” she adds.
She has purchased five computers, two LED projectors and two additional classrooms to make learning more enjoyable through digital technology and the Central Government’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) initiative.
The ICT Information and Communication Technology School Scheme was launched in December 2004 to provide secondary level students with opportunities to build their capacity primarily in ICT skills and learn through a computer-assisted learning process. She proudly says that her students are now able to use computers efficiently.
“We live in an age of globalization. To be a global citizen, digital education is essential. I want my students to know how to operate computers properly and hence exposing them to technology at the grassroots level,” adds the headmistress.
Holistic education is essential for this school
Mrs. Archana Nuguri, National Awardee Teacher 2023 from Telangana, works to improve enrollment rates and reduce dropouts. She develops teaching-learning materials at low cost. She involved the community in the construction of water purification plants, libraries, etc.#OurTeachers are our inspiration… pic.twitter.com/eU7InH6xFN
– Ministry of Education (@EduMinOfIndia) September 5, 2023
Archana wanted to learn self defense with more than 100 female students. She arranged karate classes twice a week through a private instructor.
“Book knowledge alone is not enough. I want students to excel in all aspects of life. Sports should play an important role in a student’s life. I arranged karate and dance classes for the students. Students have excelled in state and national level karate competitions and one student has even got admission in a sports school in Hyderabad,” she added.
Archana also introduced English medium as a medium of education in the school in 2016 at the request of her parents. She says that this is the first English medium government primary school in her district.
“Many parents have started enrolling their children in private English schools. They want to educate their wards in that language. So we approached the government and then got permission to start teaching at the secondary level. This helped improve our enrollment numbers a lot,” adds the teacher.
Parent Girija, whose daughter is a first-generation student in the same district, feels that English is essential to succeed in life.
“After school, everyone should study in English. They should attempt the entrance exam in English. They need to know the language to work anywhere and be equal to students from more privileged backgrounds. We don’t want our children to miss any opportunity because they don’t know English. It opens the door to a better future,” adds Girija.
Although the government has provided two teachers, Archana has recruited four private teachers. She says that two of them pay their salaries with the help of NGOs and two from their own pockets. For this, she spends more than 20,000 from her pocket, student transportation and extra classes.
“I know the importance of education, it is the only means of support in my life. Education is the only way for these students. I want every student to earn a good living,” she added.
Marking a proud legacy
Many of her students are engineers today, working in the private sector, and one is even in the army, she says proudly.
She also mentors teachers and helps them embrace innovative educational approaches and stay abreast of the latest advancements. She has published two papers in international journals based on her learning as a teacher in Manchester 2017 and 2018. He has also written a book titled ‘Transforming India through National Education Policy 2020’.
The teacher is continuing her studies today with a Ph.D. from Sridhar University, Pilani, Rajasthan, on the subject of ‘Education’s role in socio-cultural, political and economic development of women’.
“When I started teaching at the age of 19, I was unable to complete my graduation because I wanted to complete it. I have always been a curious person, wanting to learn new things. If I don’t keep myself updated and educated, how can I teach my children? To update my knowledge, I completed my graduation and am now doing this PhD,” he added.
Meanwhile, she wants to open a school for orphans after her retirement.
My father was very happy after receiving this award. I want the parents of my students to feel the same joy and pride in their children. I am working tirelessly for that. Education is the way to a better tomorrow,’ says Archana.
Edited by Padmashri Pandey