Manoj Kumar Singh, a teacher at Hindustan Mitra Mandal School, Golmuri, on Sunday was felicitated with the National Award to Teachers 2021 presented on Teachers’ Day. He is the sole recipient from Jharkhand of this coveted prize.The award was given by President Ram Nath Kovind through a webinar due to the Covid pandemic. The award carries a medal, a certificate and Rs 50,000.
Manoj Kumar Singh had prepared a mathematics book for JCERT for grades one to eight, he taught mathematics to children even after the school was closed during Covid.
Originally from Gaya in Bihar, Manoj Kumar Singh completed his primary and high school education at KMPM School in Bistupur. After doing Plus Two, in 1994, he became a teacher, but continued his studies.
He is known for teaching complex mathematical concepts through innovative practical and art-based pedagogy mostly done outside the classroom. He also conducts online teaching through his YouTube channel — Creative Learning with Manoj. He is also a part of the e-content developer team of the Jharkhand Council of Education Research and Training (JCERT) who created online content for mathematics during the pandemic through the Digi School app.
He has converted one room of his house into a classroom, in which all the necessary equipment like computer, camera, microphone, and a big LED screen with a whiteboard, are available. The e-content created by Manoj is broadcast continuously from the portal of Digi School.
"Its an honour for me. My efforts to enrich the life of children. Being a teacher of a government school and getting this award is no less than a blessing. I couldn't have expected more. I would like to shape the future of the country by teaching students," he said.
Instituted in 1958, the National Award to Teachers is conferred by the union ministry of human resources development on Teacher’s Day every year to give public recognition to meritorious teachers working in primary, middle and secondary schools.
The recipients are chosen by a state-level selection committee or the Central Award Committee presided over by director (education) or the head of any organisation with a nominee of the Union government as a member. The award carries a silver medal, certificate, and Rs 50,000 as prize money.