Two high school teachers felicitated by C N R Rao Education Foundation

Bengaluru: Recognising the important role of teachers in popularizing science among students in rural areas, the C N R Rao Foundation along with Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research has been honoring science teachers, one from Karnataka and one from other states annually since 2005.
Two such teachers - Purandaranarayana Bhat K from Vidhyabodhini High School, Dakshina Kannad and Sanjay Kumar Srivastava of Tagore Public School, Allahabad - were presented with this years’ Outstanding Science Teachers Prize on Thursday.Both the teachers have been influential in their districts at motivating and encouraging the active participation of students in district, state and national level science competitions and seminars.
“There is no substitute for human touch and inspiration. The internet or mobile can never replace the teacher in a student’s life," said Bharat Ratna Prof C N R Rao, the founder of the education foundation at the ocassion.
“I have always taught my students with simple and demonstrative techniques which make the process enjoyable and educative. Teachers must focus on the process more, not the product. Marks are not as important as the clarity of the student in the subject," said Purandaranarayana K, one of the awardees. He has over 30 years of teaching experience and participated in numerous science seminars where his paper presentations have won accolades for him. He is also the recipient of State Best Teacher Award (2015), A. Shama Rao Memorial Award (2010) and Rajiv Gandhi Memorial State Level Best Teacher Award.
Sanjay Kumar Srivastava, a chemistry teacher, has adopted the ‘Learning by doing’ approach to teach his students and has contributed to the success of many of his students, who have won state level and national level competitions,quizzes and debates. He is also an active environmental activist who works to spread awareness related to environmental issues via magazines and newspapers. Mr Srivastava has to his credit several awards like Best Science Teacher award from the U.P govt., National Science teacher Award from the National Academy of Sciences etc.
The awardees expressed their happiness and resolved to continue with their efforts to make science a part of the day to day life of the students they teach.
“Hard work can replace brilliance. But brilliance can never replace hard work," said Professor C N R Rao. He added, “School education is the most important stage where the mind and heart is built. With inspiring teachers like Mr Bhat and Mr Srivastava and dedicated students, I am confident India can be the science hub of world.”