President Murmu will confer the National Teachers’ Award 2026 on PM SHRI Sabroom Girls Higher Secondary School Headmaster Ranjan Debnath in New Delhi, recognising his nearly three-decade contribution to technology-enabled, inclusive and activity-based education in Tripura.
President Droupadi Murmu will confer the National Teachers’ Award 2026 on 48 school teachers, including Ranjan Debnath, Headmaster of PM SHRI Sabroom Girls Higher Secondary School in Tripura, at a ceremony in New Delhi on Saturday.
The national honour recognises Debnath’s nearly three-decade contribution to education and his efforts to combine technology, innovative teaching methods, student participation and character building in the classroom.
For Debnath, teaching has never been limited to performing the responsibilities of a government employee. His approach to education has been shaped by the teachers who influenced him during his own student years through discipline, sincerity and affection. Their example helped him develop the belief that teachers have a responsibility not only to deliver academic lessons but also to identify students’ potential, build their confidence and contribute to their overall character development.
Debnath believes technology has an important role in modern education, but it should support rather than replace the relationship between teachers and students. At PM SHRI Sabroom Girls Higher Secondary School, technology-enabled learning has been integrated into regular classroom activities through smart classrooms, ICT laboratories, Atal Tinkering Labs, science projects and skill-based programmes.
His emphasis on practical education is also reflected in the “Learning by Doing” approach. The method encourages students to experiment, raise questions, work collaboratively and develop practical problem-solving abilities instead of depending solely on conventional classroom instruction.
One of the notable initiatives introduced under his leadership is the U-shaped classroom seating arrangement. The system seeks to remove the conventional distinction between frontbenchers and backbenchers while providing students with greater opportunities to participate in classroom discussions. Debnath believes that active participation can help students develop confidence and improve their engagement with learning.
For him, academic performance alone does not define educational success. Integrity, compassion and social responsibility are equally important components of a student’s development. Under his leadership, the school has therefore expanded activities covering sports, yoga, culture, science, health awareness and leadership development.
The “Bal Samsad” student leadership programme is another initiative aimed at giving students opportunities to participate in school governance. Through the programme, children are encouraged to develop confidence, responsibility and leadership qualities.
PM SHRI Sabroom Girls Higher Secondary School currently has around 700 students and operates with a relatively small teaching workforce. During Debnath’s tenure, attention has also been given to infrastructure development, including hostel facilities, water conservation initiatives and student-friendly learning spaces.
The challenges of educating children in a border region have further shaped Debnath’s approach. Economic hardship, irregular attendance and limited awareness about education in some remote communities can create obstacles for students and schools. In response, he has worked to strengthen relationships between schools and families through parent meetings, community discussions and awareness programmes.
According to Debnath’s educational philosophy, sustainable improvement cannot be achieved by schools alone. Parents and communities must also become active partners in ensuring that children receive consistent educational support.
Before joining PM SHRI Sabroom Girls Higher Secondary School, Debnath was associated with Henry Derozio School, where his work earned recognition. His transfer from the institution reportedly prompted emotional protests from students and parents, reflecting the strong bonds he had established with the school community.
His contribution has also extended beyond his own institution. Debnath has conducted teacher-training programmes, mentored newly appointed headmasters, contributed to initiatives of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and taught through Vande Tripura, thereby reaching students and educators across Tripura.
As he receives the National Teachers’ Award from President Droupadi Murmu on September 5, Debnath regards the honour as a collective achievement involving his students, colleagues, parents and the people of Tripura.
For the veteran educator, one of the greatest rewards of teaching is witnessing former students return as successful adults and acknowledge the values they acquired during their school years.
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Looking ahead, Debnath aims to develop PM SHRI Sabroom Girls Higher Secondary School into a nationally recognised model institution while expanding educational opportunities for children living in remote areas of Sabroom and Satchand.
His journey reflects a broader belief that while technology can transform classrooms, teachers remain central to transforming the lives, values and futures of students.
