Munish Sood
Mandi: Ashok Thakur, a distinguished commerce teacher at Government Senior Secondary School, Bal Mandi, and recipient of the State Teacher Award, has been selected for the prestigious International Teacher Exposure Visit to Singapore.
The visit, organised under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, aims to provide teachers with exposure to advanced teaching methodologies, technological innovations and modern pedagogical approaches at the global level.
During the visit, selected educators will explore Singapore’s leading educational institutions, engage in interactive sessions with local teachers and students and gain insights into the latest teaching techniques.
The initiative focuses on equipping teachers with 21st-century educational skills, including experiential learning, collaborative teaching methods, problem-solving techniques and project-based learning approaches.
Teachers chosen through rigorous evaluation
The State Education Department conducted a stringent selection process, evaluating teachers on multiple criteria, including academic and professional qualifications; teaching experience and innovative methods; contributions to student development; and awards and recognitions at district and state levels.
Candidates underwent a detailed interview process, after which only two teachers from Mandi district were selected for this prestigious visit.
Ashok Thakur’s legacy of excellence
Ashok Thakur has consistently demonstrated excellence in education. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he played a pivotal role in online education through his YouTube channel, ensuring uninterrupted learning for commerce students.
Recognising his contributions, he was honoured with the State Teacher Award in 2023 by the Governor.
His achievements include award from Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in 2023 for developing a disaster management plan for his school.
He has also got Exceptional Educator Award from the district administration in 2024 for his outstanding work as the Additional Nodal Officer for SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) during the Lok Sabha elections.
Official recognition & future prospects
District Deputy Director of Higher Education Yashveer Dhiman confirmed the selection, stating that teachers are being sent to Singapore for the second consecutive year.
He expressed confidence that Ashok Thakur’s experience will further enrich the education system and wished him success in his future endeavors.
Just last month, talented students from Himachal Pradesh also embarked on an educational tour to Cambodia and Singapore, reflecting the state’s commitment to global academic exposure.
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