- Gave a new direction to primary education through innovation, technology, and sensitivity
- The only teacher from Chhattisgarh to receive the National Teachers’ Award
- Also had the opportunity to interact with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi
On the occasion of Teachers’ Day, Sunita Yadav stands as the only teacher from Chhattisgarh selected for the National Teachers’ Award. Today marked a historic moment of pride for the Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district. Smt. Sunita Yadav, a teacher at the Government Primary School in Khichri (Barmkela Block), was honored with the prestigious National Teachers’ Award for the year 2026 by the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
This honor was conferred upon selected school teachers from across the country in recognition of their remarkable contributions to the field of education, their innovations, and the positive changes they have brought to students’ lives. At the dignified ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, President Smt. Droupadi Murmu honored Sunita Yadav by presenting her with a citation. Short documentaries showcasing the exemplary work of the nationally selected teachers were also screened during the event.
- Adopted ‘learning through play’ and innovation-based teaching methods
Sunita Yadav did not limit education to mere textbooks in the primary school—located in a rural and forest-adjacent area with limited resources; instead, she incorporated literature, technology, creativity, and experiential activities into her teaching. She made continuous efforts to bring children who were lagging behind into the educational mainstream and adopted ‘learning through play’ as well as innovation-based teaching methods to foster an interest in learning among the students.
- Initiative to integrate vocational information and digital literacy with education
To explain complex subjects to children in an accessible manner, teacher Sunita Yadav creates short films featuring herself and her students, utilizing them as teaching aids. Additionally, she enhances the children’s learning experience—making it more engaging and effective—by leveraging technological tools such as the DIKSHA app, StoryWeaver, audiobooks, podcasts, blogging, and smart classrooms. Her efforts also include initiatives to integrate employment-oriented information and digital literacy with formal education.
- Teaching through free summer camps for tribal children
Sunita’s sensitivity extends beyond the classroom. Mindful of the children’s nutrition and health, she provides regular milk to students at her own expense and encourages the community to sponsor meals (Nyota Bhojan) for them. To reach children from disadvantaged and marginalized sections of society, she conducted free summer camps and taught tribal children at the Government Primary School in Tilakdih, Bilaspur district.
- Efforts to foster social and environmental sensitivity among students
She is the first female teacher in the district to author a research paper on the changes and impacts observed in primary schools across Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district following the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Alongside education, she is actively involved in social causes. She has endeavored to instill social and environmental sensitivity in her students through activities such as preparing seed balls for nature conservation and making rakhis for soldiers who serve the nation.
- National recognition for her innovative contributions to primary education
Sunita has previously received accolades at various levels for her contributions to education and literature. She was honored with the State Teacher Award in 2024 and the Pandit Mukutdhar Pandey Memorial Award for literature in 2025. Her selection for the National Teacher Award serves as national recognition of her sustained efforts and innovative contributions to primary education. Available accounts highlight a unique blend of literature, technology, and sensitivity in her teaching methods.
- Opportunity to interact with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi
A day prior to the National Teacher Award ceremony, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi invited the award recipients to his residence to offer his congratulations and best wishes. During this interaction, teacher Sunita Yadav shared details about her teaching work, innovations, and the efforts she is undertaking for children in rural areas. Prime Minister Modi commended her for integrating innovation, technology, and creative methods into education alongside her regular teaching duties. Initiatives such as teaching children through short films, utilizing audiobooks and podcasts, and conducting smart classes in a small rural school have established her institution as a model for innovation-driven education.
- A Moment of Pride for Sarangarh-Bilaigarh
District In-charge Minister Mr. Tank Ram Verma, Collector Padmini Bhoi Sahu, and Superintendent of Police Mr. Sunil Sharma extended their congratulations and best wishes to teacher Sunita Yadav upon receiving the National Teachers’ Award. They remarked that a teacher from the district being honored at the national level is a matter of pride for the entire Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district. Her innovative work…will also inspire other teachers to excel in the field of education with a fresh perspective.
The district’s Minister-in-charge has also extended congratulations and best wishes to Sunita Yadav on receiving the National Teachers’ Award. He remarked that her efforts to integrate innovation, technology, and sensitivity into children’s education—while working in rural and forest-adjacent areas—are truly commendable. This achievement is a source of pride not only for Sunita Yadav but also for the entire Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district and the state of Chhattisgarh.
- A Journey of Hard Work, Innovation, and Sensitivity
Born into a family of teachers in Sankra (Mahasamund district), Sunita Yadav has been a meritorious student since her early days. She received her primary education in Sankra. She completed her undergraduate studies at Arts College, Pithora, and her post-graduation in English Literature at Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur. After obtaining her B.Ed. degree from Pt. Sundarlal Sharma Open University, Bilaspur, she chose teaching as her vocation.
Even after marrying Mr. Nandkumar Yadav, a businessman from Barmkela, she continued to pursue her active and creative work in the field of education. Her daughter, Srijana Yadav, is a student of Journalism and Mass Communication at Guru Ghasidas University.
The National Teachers’ Award, presented to her today by the President, serves as national recognition of Sunita Yadav’s ongoing journey—one in which she transformed a classroom in a small rural school into a vibrant platform for learning by integrating innovation, literature, technology, and sensitivity.