Gujarat : Anand Teacher to get National Teachers Award

Gandhinagar: “I chose to work in a rural school to educate children from remote areas. Being a principal would give me the freedom to implement new ideas, which motivated me to accept this role. Today, our high school has an Ayurvedic medicinal garden, a digital library, and smart classrooms, and we have banned single-use plastics from all school programs,” says Shri Vinay Shashikant Patel, who has served as principal of Vadadala Village High School in Anand for 16 years and has been selected for the National Teachers Award 2024.

Library Policy: Mandatory Weekly Visits for Students; Residents Also Welcome
Vinay Bhai, dedicated to the comprehensive development of high school students, has worked tirelessly to enhance the school’s infrastructure. He shared, “Our high school now has a beautifully designed library, equipped with a diverse selection of books and digital infrastructure, including internet access to support student learning. Besides, the library is open to village residents who enjoy reading. We have scheduled library visits for students at least once a week.

Medicinal Garden in School And Students Contribute to Karuna Abhiyan
Alongside their regular education, students participate in activities designed to foster harmony with nature and a sense of service. Ayurvedic herbs have been planted on the school grounds, with students helping to plant and maintain them. Vinay Bhai’s Karuna Abhiyan also involves taking students through the village during Uttarayan to collect kite strings and protect birds. Vinaybhai, dedicated to environmental work since 1996, notes that they use informational charts about the planted trees to educate the children. On his birthday, he gifts each student a medicinal tree, enhancing their connection with nature. The school is also committed to environmental protection by avoiding single-use plastics in all its programs.

Smart Classrooms a Blessing for Village Students
The Gujarat government has undertaken initiatives to improve educational infrastructure and encourage school attendance through various programs. Reflecting on these efforts, Vinay bhai says “The introduction of smart classrooms by the government is a huge benefit for our village students. It significantly improves their learning experience with the latest technology. Additionally, the government’s Shala Praveshotsav has been highly successful in supporting children’s education.”

Village Daughters Pursue Higher Education; Divyang Girl Wins The First Prize in District Khel Mahakumbh
Speaking about the situation in Vadadala village, Vinaybhai said, “Most children here come from poor families. Initially, the school only offered education up to 8th or 10th grade. After 10th grade, it was challenging for families to send their daughters for further studies due to the distance. Realizing this issue, we appealed to the government and, with special permission, introduced 11th and 12th grades in 2013. Now, the village’s daughters are completing high school and going to college. One Divyang girl, after receiving thorough sports training here, won the first prize in the Khel Mahakumbh of Anand District. We are confident she will excel at the state level in the future.”