On the occasion of Teachers’ Day celebrations in New Delhi on September 5, this Andhra Pradesh teacher received the National Best Teacher Award from President Droupadi Murmu. Out of six teachers nominated by the State government, Ravi Aruna of ASNRA Zilla Parishad High School in Kanuru received the award.
Dr Ravi Aruna, the daughter of educationalists Dr Ravi Ranga Rao and Narra Prabhavati, began teaching in November 1996. Marella Srinivasa Rao, her husband, is the vice-principal of a private polytechnic college, and her son, Kalyan, is an MS student in the United States. She began her career at ZP High School in Vijayawada’s rural Enikepadu village. She later taught in schools in the Krishna district’s Ramavarapadu and Ungutur villages.
Through various scientific methods and programmes, the physical sciences teacher tries to bring out innate talent, creativity, artistic and scientific temperament, and problem-solving abilities in students. Ramavat Kamala, principal of Kanuru ZP High School, told that Aruna uses innovative methods to teach physical sciences to students. Her teaching is based on immersive learning techniques and low-cost or free materials found in the environment.
She went on to say that Aruna’s role has helped students achieve success at the state and national levels through innovative projects. Kanur ZP High School students have taken part in the state-level ‘Inspire exhibition’ five times and twice at the national level. The students also took part in the state-level ‘Science Congress.’ They also demonstrated their abilities in a science quiz hosted by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
Other awards to Aruna
Agastya Foundation of Kuppam also awarded her the State’s Best Teaching Learning Material Designer award. Aruna has written academic books on environmental science for students in grades 6 through 8. The physical sciences teacher also served as a resource person in a number of State-level workshops. During the Covid pandemic, she held a series of academic sessions for thousands of students on All India Radio and the DD Saptagiri channel.
Bandaru Janakiram, a Class 9 student, stated that they are working on a kit to detect diabetes without the use of blood or soil testing kits. “We will apply for a patent under the supervision of our teacher,” he added. Aruna told that receiving the award made her proud. She expresses her appreciation to headmaster R Kamala, district education officer Sultana, and the school’s teaching staff. She also stated that the award has increased her responsibility to bring out the hidden talents of the students and mould them into future scientists.
