Deep Narayan Nayak

●He is a teacher from the Tilka Manjhi Adivasi Free Primary School in Jamuria, Asansol, West Bengal, India, and earned the title of "Teacher of the Streets" for his exceptional educational efforts during the COVID-19 lockdown.

●During the COVID-19 pandemic, he transformed outdoor spaces, converting mud walls into blackboards and roads into classrooms, with the goal of addressing the digital divide and offering education to marginalized children in remote, poverty-stricken communities.

●He also worked to improve literacy rates among adult learners, provided counselling to students and their parents, and addressed learning disabilities.

●His focus extended beyond the classroom to empower both children and communities.

Global Teacher Prize

●It is an annual award organized by the UK-based Varkey Foundation in partnership with UNESCO and Dubai Cares, a UAE-based philanthropic organization.

●Teachers are celebrated for their dedication and their pivotal role in shaping the future by providing quality education and fostering lifelong learning. The prize highlights the importance of teachers in society and their role in transforming education for the better.

○To be eligible for the Global Teacher Prize, teachers must be actively teaching children in compulsory schooling or between the ages of five and eighteen. They should also dedicate at least 10 hours per week to teaching and commit to remaining in the teaching profession for the next five years.

○The prize is open to teachers from all types of schools and, depending on local laws, from any country in the world.

●The prize is worth USD 1 million and aims to recognize and celebrate outstanding teachers who have made a significant contribution to the field of education.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. What strategies and initiatives can educational institutions implement to ensure effective inclusive education, providing equal opportunities and support for students of all abilities and backgrounds?