In a first, Punjab Education Department would confer 'lifetime Achievement' award on two teachers as part of the Teachers' Day celebrations on Monday.
72-year-old principal Swaran Singh and 98-year-old Sister Mirabell will be conferred with the award, said state Education Minister Daljit Singh Cheema on Sunday, adding that both will be honoured with a prize money of `1 lakh each.
Cheema said that 34 teachers will get state award while 33 teachers will be given commendation certificates.
He said: “Founder principal of Baba Aya Singh Riarki College, Tugalwala (Gurdaspur), Swaran Singh and founder teacher of Sacred Heart Convent School, ludhiana (Caretaker Convent), Sister Mirabell would be presented with the lifetime Achievement award.”
The award has been instituted for the first time for one teacher each in male and female categories with a prize money of ` 1 lakh each.
“The department, after thorough deliberations, decided to honour two eminent personalities for making pioneering contribution towards the field of education,” he said.
Principal Swaran Singh established Baba Aaya Singh Riarki College in 1976 which grew from the initial strength of 14 girl students to 5,000 at present due to his painstaking efforts and burning midnight oil for the past 40 years.
It was only after Swaran Singh resigned from the Government job at Government Middle School Harchowal in 1965 and found this institution firstly as a school which soon progressed to college level.
The most unique and inspiring aspect of the college is that the junior students are taught here by the senior students with excellent results to showcase.
Another novel characteristic of the institution is that the students themselves cook meals taking turns and also perform task of maintaining accounts and admission procedures.
The institution conducts courses from sixth standard till BA with annual cost on a student being only ` 800 per annum. Hostel student pay ` 5,500 per annum.
The second lifetime achievement awardee Sister Mirabell started Sacred Heart Convent School with the help of local people along with district administration.
She still resides inside the school campus and even at the age of 98 years is a source of inspiration for students and the school staff. The committee decided to honour her seeing her dedication towards educational sphere leaving her home state, Karnataka, Cheema said.
Cheema said that the State Award prize money has been increased from ` 10,000 to ` 25,000 this time.