Parveen Kumari Honored with National Award, marking a proud moment for Chandigarh as she joins just 45 teachers across India recognized this year. A Social Studies teacher at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 20-B, she will be celebrated on September 5, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The honor from the Ministry of Education carries a certificate, silver medal, and a ₹50,000 cash prize.

The Chandigarh Education Department expressed pride in her achievement, stating that the recognition reflects their transparent and fair nomination process. Director Harshuhinder Pal Singh Brar emphasized that her success validates their approach, while Secretary Prerna Puri noted that focusing on true contributions helps identify national role models.

For Parveen, the award is deeply personal. Overwhelmed with happiness, she shared her emotions in simple words, while her retired teacher parents felt immense pride. Her father, Pawan Kumar, praised her consistent dedication, and her mother, Naresh Kumari, reflected on their years of hard work. Her supportive husband Rajneesh, along with children Parth and Prachi, also celebrated the achievement.

Parveen has brought innovation into her classrooms. With advanced degrees in English, History, and MPhil, she introduced creative methods such as puppet shows, role-play, music, and dance to make Social Studies engaging. She built a Social Science Lab, set up a Herbal Nursery and Lily Pond, and shared over 150 resources on platforms like Diksha, PM Vidya, and Kishor Manch to support inclusive education.

Her influence extends beyond academics. Since 2018, she has led the Student Police Cadet (SPC) Program, empowering girls with skills like self-defense and road safety. As a Guide Captain, she has taken students to national and international jamborees and now serves as the State Training Commissioner, training educators to establish Guide units in schools.

Parveen also champions environmental causes. She spearheaded campaigns such as “Go Green Diwali” and “Herbal Holi,” along with anti-tobacco and substance abuse awareness programs. Recognized with several honors, including the Eco Warrior Award in 2024, her efforts earned praise from senior environmentalists.

Her dedication continues a family legacy in teaching, inspired by her uncle Om Parkash, a 2011 National Teachers’ Award recipient. Colleagues describe her as an all-rounder with a cheerful spirit, always ready to serve.

Ultimately, Parveen Kumari Honored with National Award symbolizes more than an individual achievement. It reflects her unwavering commitment to education, community, and environment, inspiring both students and teachers to pursue excellence and make a lasting impact.

Ludhiana teachers frustrated as their transfer process has been disrupted due to major technical glitches in the education department’s online portal. The department was forced to pause the selection of new stations after a flood of complaints, leaving educators anxious about their future and students’ learning.

The trouble began when teachers found that many options for new postings were missing on the portal, while others couldn’t access the link at all. On August 7, the department issued a notice confirming the temporary suspension of primary cadre station selection, promising to reopen on August 12 after fixing the issues. However, the disruption has already impacted schools, forcing staff changes mid-session.

Educators worry that such delays harm both teaching quality and classroom stability. According to Dharamjeet Singh Dhillon, district president of the Lecturer Cadre Union, students adapt to a teacher’s style in the early months, so sudden transfers can confuse both sides and disrupt syllabus coverage. He stressed that transfers should be finalized by June to ensure smooth functioning.

Adding to the uncertainty, a similar order was released for secondary teachers on August 8, but without a reopening date. This left teachers unsettled and school principals hesitant to approve moves, fearing staff shortages. Daljit Singh Samrala of the Democratic Teachers’ Front reminded that every teacher has the right to seek a transfer. He noted that union representatives even met the Director of Secondary Education, pressing for urgent solutions.

Teachers argue that this is more than a technical flaw, it directly affects classroom management and learning outcomes. Punjab’s education system has repeatedly struggled with online transfers, exposing deeper management problems. Mid-year shifts often hinder syllabus completion and unsettle students.

In Ludhiana, where schools already face pressure to maintain standards due to the city’s industrial environment, stability is crucial. Teachers now demand a fairer and more efficient system, with better communication from the department to avoid confusion.

Ultimately, the pause has highlighted systemic weaknesses that require immediate reform. Ludhiana teachers frustrated by these delays, want a reliable process that ensures both effective teaching conditions. And an uninterrupted academic journey for students.

Education

Overview of the Meeting

Governor Kataria reviews Chandigarh education and sports policies during an important meeting held on Friday. As Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator, Gulab Chand Kataria aimed to assess how effectively these plans are improving schools and sports programs in the city.

Updates from the School Education Department

During the meeting, Kataria learned about the ongoing recruitment drive in the School Education Department. So far, 739 people have been appointed for teaching positions out of 993 available jobs. This shows a strong effort to strengthen the educational infrastructure in Chandigarh.

One exciting project is the School Volleyball Programme. This program is a team effort with the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) and the Abhinav Bindra Foundation. It is currently running in 108 government schools. The aim is to promote sports among students and encourage more kids to play volleyball.

Supporting Future Success with UDAAN

Another important initiative is called UDAAN. This program helps 125 talented students from government schools by providing them free coaching for competitive exams. These exams include very important ones like JEE and NEET. Along with coaching, the program offers mentorship from experienced teachers and professionals.

• Students get help with academic planning.
• They receive motivational support.
• Stress management is also part of the program.
• Overall personal development is a key focus.

With this guidance, students not only learn subjects but also gain emotional support. This helps them feel better prepared for their exams.

Sports Department Initiatives

The discussion also covered the Sports Department. Kataria highlighted some major sports projects. One of the most exciting is the upcoming International Chandigarh Marathon. It will take place in November 2025. The marathon will have a route certified by World Athletics, showing that Chandigarh is becoming a place for international events.

To support sports, the city is making big changes. There will be an Olympic-standard swimming pool, a multipurpose indoor hall, and a hostel for girl athletes built in Sector 42. Furthermore, the upgraded cricket ground in Sector 16 is set to open in August.

Additionally, Kataria praised the city for successfully hosting several national-level sports championships this year. These include:

• North Zone Chess Championship
• National Championship of Table Tennis

New coaches have been hired, and sports associations received financial support. These efforts are important for developing a vibrant sports culture in Chandigarh.

Focus on Higher and Technical Education

In the area of Higher and Technical Education, Kataria reviewed faculty recruitment and job placements. He learned that two rounds of centralised counselling helped fill over 95 percent of the seats in undergraduate and postgraduate programs. This is good news because it shows a high demand for education.

For the 2025-26 school year, there will even be an extra 200 undergraduate seats available. Kataria stressed the need to monitor faculty performance more closely in higher education. He also called for better sports programs and facilities in colleges.

Proposed Changes for Improvement

To ensure schools and colleges are succeeding, Kataria proposed transparent ways to evaluate performance. This means that both academic results and sports achievements will be measured clearly.

Progress on the EduCity Project

The meeting also touched on the EduCity project in Sarangpur. This project is aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for students. Plans were also shared for granting autonomous status to some colleges. This could give them more freedom to operate independently.

Moreover, there are upcoming partnerships under the Chandigarh Skill Development Mission. Transformative programs, such as the Model ITI at Burail Jail and the National ITI Upgradation Scheme, are working to improve vocational training and technical education.

Looking Ahead

Kataria praised all departments for their proactive work. He emphasized the need for continuous effort in education and sports. He stated, “The Education and Sports Departments have taken commendable steps to empower students and youth in Chandigarh.”

To make everything work better, he asked departments to improve processes. They should ensure clear performance indicators so the impact of their programs can be measured effectively.

Furthermore, Kataria stressed the importance of regular monitoring of progress. Better coordination between departments and the use of technology will help improve transparency and accountability in education and sports.

Conclusion

In summary, as Governor Kataria reviews Chandigarh progress, his meeting highlighted many exciting developments in education and sports. The city is focused on creating strong support for both students and athletes. With these initiatives, Chandigarh aims to build a bright future for its youth.

Education