Kusuma Excellence Awards
Developing excellent schools, teachers and students
Part of improving teaching is acknowledging what is already being done well. Between 2013 and 2016, we gave a grant to fund the Kusuma Excellence Awards to high achieving schools, teachers and students.
As well as a certificate of excellence, teachers received money for professional development and resources for their classrooms. Schools were awarded money towards their development plan and students with the highest scores in science, arts and commerce, were also recgonised with a small cash prize.
- We funded the Kusuma Excellence Awards with a grant of £45,270 over three years.
- 14 schools, 55 teachers and 85 students in Samblapur and Hardoi received awards.
- In 2016, 620 delegates attended the Kusuma Excellence Awards ceremonies in each district, including officials from the education departments, district magistrates, and representatives from local NGOs.
“These awards have instilled confidence in me as a teacher”
Prabhudatta Hota, a chemistry teacher at Gangadhar Meher Junior College, Sambalpur, received awards in 2016 and 2017. The head of the college nominated him both years because of his dedication to helping students outside of lessons and how much his students’ performance had improved. He chose to receive a tablet to download books, journals and research papers to use in his lessons, and chemistry textbooks to help students prepare for entrance exams and professional science courses.
“These awards have instilled a lot of confidence in me as a person and teacher,” said Prabhudatta. “I only received this award because of the performance of my students and therefore whatever I receive must be utilised for their development. This is why as part of my prize I chose books for my students so that they have the best possible chance to go on and achieve even more than they already have.”
Prabhudatta believes that as a direct result of these resources two of his students have qualified for medical entrance exams, two have been accepted at the National Institute of Technology and a further 12 students have qualified for entrance exams to study engineering.
The acknowledgement of my hard work in the 2012-13 academic year motivated me to continue my efforts for better results of my students, and ensured that I got the award for 2013-14. Now I am planning to encourage other teachers in the peripheral schools to work towards better results for their students.”
More Success Stories
Secondary School Readiness Programme – Kusuma Foundation
Kusuma Schools Partnership Initiative
