Shivamogga school teacher wins National Teachers’ Award, to receive award from President in Delhi

Ratnakumari S., in-charge headmistress at the Government Higher Primary School in Samatagaru village of Hosanagara taluk, Shivamogga, has won the National Teachers’ Award for 2026. She is one of 48 teachers to win the award across the country this year, and the only one from Karnataka. 

Ms. Ratnakumari, who has over 30 years of teaching experience, is known for adopting innovative techniques to make teaching effective. She believes in engaging schoolchildren through activities on campus. 

Speaking to The Hindu, on Saturday (August 22, 2026), Ms. Ratnakumari said she was happy to have been chosen for the national award, and credited the recognition to her team’s work. “I believe I have been chosen for the award recognising the work done by our team, with the support of parents, villagers, and officers of the department. Without all of them, we could not have done anything,” she said. 

The school has four teachers and a guest faculty member for 60 students. Barring four children, all the students come from neighbouring villages. With the help of donors, the school has arranged two vans to pick up and drop students. 

Ms. Ratnakumari, a native of Tirthahalli, has worked at the school for the last 25 years. “Once, I was transferred from the school. However, the villagers did not allow me to leave. They staged protests and met senior officers of the department, and ensured that the transfer was cancelled. Since then, I have never thought of leaving the school,” she said. 

English learning, nature-friendly campus

Unlike in many schools, Ms. Ratnakumari’s own children studied at the school where she teaches. “Both my son and daughters studied in this school. My colleagues, too, admitted their children here. That gave parents in the village confidence in us. Since we place an importance on teaching English effectively, villagers prefer our school to private schools. Our objective is that even when students join an English-medium school for high school, they should not feel left out,” she said. 

The teachers have developed an environment-friendly campus, which includes a medicinal plant park and a mathematics and science park, and have kept the campus plastic-free. Students take part in activities such as theatre to improve their language skills.

“We regularly interact with parents. They often visit the school, and we visit their homes too. Such interactions ensure effective teaching and mentoring. A majority of students from our school have secured jobs in the engineering and banking sectors, and some have entered film production. Even those who could not pursue higher education are earning an honest living, working hard in the fields,” she said. 

Minister congratulates

Minister for School Education and Literacy Madhu Bangarappa congratulated the teacher on winning the award. In his message on social media, the minister said that the teacher would be taking part in the Teachers’ Day programme in Delhi to receive the honour from the President Droupadi Murmu. 

Ganesh Y., Block Education Officer of Hosanagara taluk, told The Hindu that Ms. Ratnakumari deserved the national award for the work she had done through her career. “The school is worth visiting to learn about the activities she has carried out. As an English teacher, she has taught the language through activities, so that schoolchildren converse with her in English. The entire environment is unique. She identifies hidden talents among students and encourages them to cultivate these,” the officer said.