Shivamogga headmistress wins National Teachers' Award for innovative methods

Ratnakumari S., in-charge headmistress at the Government Higher Primary School in Samatagaru village, Hosanagara taluk, Shivamogga, has been selected for the National Teachers' Award 2026. She is among 48 teachers chosen nationwide for the honour this year, and the only one from Karnataka.

With over three decades of teaching experience, Ms. Ratnakumari is known for adopting innovative techniques to make learning effective. She emphasises activity-based engagement for schoolchildren on the campus.

Speaking to The Hindu on Saturday, August 22, 2026, Ms. Ratnakumari expressed happiness at being chosen for the award and credited her team. '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 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 served 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 recalled.

Her commitment to the school is personal: both her son and daughters studied there. 'My colleagues, too, admitted their children here. That gave parents in the village confidence in us. Since we place 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 explained.

The teachers have developed an environment-friendly campus, including 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 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.

Karnataka's Minister for School Education and Literacy, Madhu Bangarappa, congratulated the teacher on winning the award. In a social media message, he said the teacher would participate in the Teachers' Day programme in Delhi to receive the honour from President Droupadi Murmu.

Ganesh Y., Block Education Officer of Hosanagara taluk, told The Hindu that Ms. Ratnakumari deserved the national award for her career-long work. '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.