A teacher who makes learning a joy

Kishorkumar M.S. is a lower primary teacher at the very school he studied in – Government Vocational Higher Secondary School at Kallara in Thiruvananthapuram district. After moving to the school in 2023, his distinct pursuits with pedagogy found recognition when the State Teachers’ Award came to him. His held his head even higher when he received the National Teachers’ Award from President Droupadi Murmu recently.

Mr. Kishorkumar says he follows a joyful, inclusive, activity-based approach to foster creativity and critical thinking among the young students. He also tries to introduce fresh and impactful ideas each year. One such is the ‘Growing classroom’ that has students, teachers, and parents working together to create a classroom that is natural and dynamic and where learning happens effortlessly.

“I asked each student what their dream of an ideal classroom was. The school supported the vision but lacked funds. I created an action plan and shared it with parents, who responded positively.”

First, Mr. Kishorkumar painted the classroom after school hours using colours chosen by the students. Then began the transformation, each change shaped by the students’ feedback. They brought potted plants into the classroom. A mic and speaker were installed with parents’ support, an aquarium was set up, music was played during breaks, craft and art engaged students, and short debates provided students an outlet on various topics. Today, the classroom is a vibrant and evolving model of collaboration and child-centric learning, he says.

Mr. Kishorkumar who began his teaching career in 2007 had plenty of inspiration for the kind of teacher he wanted to be. “My father was a high school teacher. Also, back when I was a student at the Kallara school, I would see an upper primary science teacher Ratnakaran bring test tubes or globe to class at a time when activity-based or child-friendly learning was almost unheard of. He was very popular, a mentor to students,” recalls the 49-year-old teacher.

He has secured first prize in State-level teaching aid competitions multiple times and has developed over 50 e-content, representing Kerala nationally and winning prizes.

His documentaries

He is a staunch believer in community connect, social commitment, and respect for nature and heritage. “After hearing about the legendary Kanthalloor Sala that existed in Thiruvananthapuram 1,000 years ago, I made a documentary on it that bagged awards at the national level. I also made a documentary on the Kakkarissi Natakam that has very few practitioners now. Motivated by these, my students at Government Lower Primary School, Kanjirampara, Vamanapuram – where I worked till 2023 – made a documentary on invasive plants and their impact on the environment, which won the CIET-NCERT award for best film.”

In Kanjirampara, he visited marginalised children in remote areas to get them to come to school, created infrastructure for them, and devised activities to nurture their talents and present them in public.

He says it is up to teachers to engage and inform students and motivate them, even if some money has to be spent from their pocket, rather than turn to the government for everything. His approach has brought him many accolades, including the national award. “What else can I want?” he asks.