NIEPA honors 84 education officers from 22 states, UTs for innovative school initiatives

The National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) today honored 84 District and Block Level Education Officers from 22 States and Union Territories for developing innovative practices to address challenges in school education.

The Awards for Innovations and Good Practices in Educational Administration for 2023–24 and 2024–25 were presented at NIEPA, New Delhi, at the conclusion of the two-day National Conference on Innovations and Good Practices in Educational Administration.

Padma Shri Prof J S Rajput, former Director, NCERT, was the Chief Guest and presented the awards and certificates.

The ceremony was presided over by Prof Shashikala Wanjari, Vice-Chancellor, NIEPA, and attended by Prof Vineeta Sirohi, Programme Director and Head, Department of Educational Administration, NIEPA; Shri Surya Narayan Mishra, Registrar, NIEPA; and other education experts and officials.

The conference brought together education officers from across the country to present locally developed solutions in foundational learning, student attendance, technology-enabled education, teacher capacity building, school infrastructure, inclusion, community participation, and school quality.

The initiatives demonstrated how effective use of existing resources and community participation can improve educational outcomes.

Among the recognized initiatives was the “NIPUN Monitoring Meter Dashboard: From Digital Innovation to Mastery in Education," developed by Mukul Anand Pandey, District Basic Education Officer, Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh.

The real-time dashboard tracks learning outcomes, attendance, NIPUN targets, co-curricular activities, and review meetings. The initiative reported attendance levels of 75–85%, an increase in teacher participation through the application from 38% to 87%, and 72.47% of students scoring 60% and above.

In Gujarat, Krupa N Jha, District Education Officer, Ahmedabad-Rural, was recognized for “Mission Siddhatva," which helped increase HSC General stream results from 71.15% to 89.39% and Science stream results from 69.92% to 85.05%.

The awards also recognized initiatives focused on attendance and inclusion. Nimishaben V. Chauhan, Assistant Administrative Officer, Ahmedabad District, received recognition for the School Student Attendance Enrichment Program, which recorded a 15–20% increase in average student presence.

M Manoj Kumar, Block Project Coordinator, Nillambur Block, Malappuram District, Kerala, was recognized for promoting equity and managing diversity in school education, with a focus on socially and educationally disadvantaged children, including children with disabilities.

Badal Raj, District Superintendent of Education, Simdega and Ranchi Districts, Jharkhand, was recognized for the “Siti Bajao Upasthiti Badhao Programme for Improving School Attendance," which strengthened attendance, student leadership, parent participation, and the school environment.

Speaking on the occasion, Padma Shri Prof Rajput said “Education must go beyond imparting knowledge; it must develop competence, character, and the ability to apply learning for the welfare of society. As technology and Artificial Intelligence transform education, educators must remain adaptable, innovative, and willing to learn. Academic leadership must be rooted in knowledge, empathy, humility, and continuous learning.”

“The innovations recognized through these awards demonstrate that education officers at the grassroots level are not only implementing policy but also solving problems and creating context-specific solutions. By documenting and sharing these practices, NIEPA seeks to promote peer learning and support the adaptation of successful models across diverse educational settings,” said Prof Shashikala Wanjari, Vice-Chancellor, NIEPA.

Instituted in 2013–14, the Awards for Innovations and Good Practices in Educational Administration encourage District and Block Level Education Officers to develop, implement, and share innovative practices.

More than 700 officers from different States and Union Territories have participated in the awards functions over the years.

The shortlisted officers for the 2023–24 and 2024–25 awards participated in the National Conference and Award Function held on September 2–3, 2026, at NIEPA, New Delhi.