Rohini school principal to get National Teacher Award

New Delhi: Breaking a four-year gap, Awadhesh Kumar Jha, principal of SKV Rohini Sector 17 and a Sanskrit teacher by training, will be the only recipient from Delhi of the National Teacher Award 2025.

He is among 45 teachers chosen from over one crore schoolteachers across the country. The award will be presented by the President on Sept 5.

A native of Bihar and an alumnus of Delhi University's Hindu College, Jha completed his BEd, MEd and MPhil from the Central Institute of Education, DU, before taking charge as head of school in 2015.

Under his leadership, the school has seen remarkable academic success. This year, 18 students cleared NEET and 13 qualified JEE (Mains).

Jha has also brought free, high-quality coaching to his students. With the support of educator Alakh Pandey of PhysicsWallah under the Government of India's Vidyanjali initiative, his school runs a free coaching centre. In collaboration with Paras Institute, he introduced CA foundation coaching, enabling several students to clear the exam each year.

Determined to expand learning resources, he established a reading hall with 70 computer-enabled seats, open 365 days from 8 am to 8 pm. Through RBI's CSR initiative, the school received 100 second-hand computers and 40 printers, while donations helped set up a junior science lab.

After Covid, Jha introduced a "stress buster room" offering counselling and activities to help students cope with emotional challenges. He also launched initiatives such as zero-waste citizen bank accounts, rewarding sustainable waste disposal, "heart-to-heart" sessions with industry veterans on career guidance, and a freedom fighter's park with 24 statues of freedom fighters.

Recently recognised by chief minister Rekha Gupta as one of Delhi's top 10 schools for results, Jha said: "I am very happy that my years of effort are being recognised. I dedicate this award to my students, teachers and my vice-principal, who supported me in all these endeavours."



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