National Awards for Innovative Practices and Experiments in
Education for Schools and Teacher Education Institutions
1. INTRODUCTION
In the early sixties, the then Department of Extension Programme for Secondary Education
launched a Scheme entitled “Seminar Readings Programme for Teachers and Heads of
Secondary Schools.” The scheme provided an opportunity to teachers to write detailed papers
in English or in any other modern Indian language on teaching procedures or techniques,
which they found most effective. The papers were submitted to the Extension Service
Department of the NCERT. From time to time, changes were made in the Scheme and its
scope was widened with regard to its nomenclature, nature of participation, eligibility criteria,
specification of themes, the procedure of submission of papers, shortlisting of papers, number of
awards, eligibility for a cash prize, amount of cash prize, etc.
launched a Scheme entitled “Seminar Readings Programme for Teachers and Heads of
Secondary Schools.” The scheme provided an opportunity to teachers to write detailed papers
in English or in any other modern Indian language on teaching procedures or techniques,
which they found most effective. The papers were submitted to the Extension Service
Department of the NCERT. From time to time, changes were made in the Scheme and its
scope was widened with regard to its nomenclature, nature of participation, eligibility criteria,
specification of themes, the procedure of submission of papers, shortlisting of papers, number of
awards, eligibility for a cash prize, amount of cash prize, etc.
Till 2004-05, the Scheme was known as “All India Competition on Innovative
Practices and Experiments for School Teachers and Teacher Educators”. There was a
provision of 100 cash prizes of Rs.2,000/– each (70 for school teachers: 50 for elementary
leveland20 at the secondary level, and 30 for teacher educators: 20 for elementary teacher
educators and 10 for secondary teacher educators).
Practices and Experiments for School Teachers and Teacher Educators”. There was a
provision of 100 cash prizes of Rs.2,000/– each (70 for school teachers: 50 for elementary
leveland20 at the secondary level, and 30 for teacher educators: 20 for elementary teacher
educators and 10 for secondary teacher educators).
The scheme was reviewed by the NCERT during 2005-07 with the help of faculty
members of RIEs and some external experts in the area of school education and teacher
education. The review led to the reformulation of the Scheme as ‘All India Competition on
Innovative Practices and Experiments in Education for Schools and Teacher Education
Institutions.’
After the implementation of the Scheme for about ten years, it has been felt that
individual teachers and teacher educators attempting innovations need to be accorded
recognition by giving those awards at the national level. Therefore, the scheme has been
rechristened as ‘National Awards for Innovative Practices and Experiments in Education
for Schools and Teacher Education Institutions’ from 2017-18 onwards.
2. OBJECTIVES OF THE SCHEME – National Award For Innovative Practices
The main objectives of the scheme are to:
1. Sensitize teachers and teacher educators about the potential of innovative practices
and experiments for the improvement of teaching-learning.2. Encourage teachers and teacher educators to try out innovative ideas and practices for
improvement of different areas of school education and teacher education.3. Encourage teachers and teacher educators to identify the problems they face in their
teaching-learning process and adopt a realistic approach to find their solutions.4. Create an environment in schools and teacher education institutions to ensure
sustainability of innovation; and Provide a forum to teachers and teacher educators to share their innovative ideas with
all the stakeholders.
3.WHAT IS AN INNOVATION- National Award For Innovative Practices
Innovation is typically understood as the introduction of something new and useful, for
example, introducing new strategies or modified methods, techniques, practices, products and
services. The definitions of innovation include:
example, introducing new strategies or modified methods, techniques, practices, products and
services. The definitions of innovation include:
Process of making improvements by introducing something new.
1. Process of implementing new ideas for improvement of the teaching learning process.2. An idea, strategy, method or device.3. Changes that create a new dimension of performance in any aspect of teaching
learning.4. A creative idea that is realized through the use of alternative strategies or techniques.5. Capabilities of realising the desired change continuously in order to sustain it over a
period of time.
4. SCOPE – National Award For Innovative Practices
National Awards for Innovative Practices and Experiments in Education for Schools and Teacher Education Institutions – Teachers and teacher educators can undertake innovations or conduct experiments on any aspect of their work related to teaching-learning, training or management of schools/colleges
of teacher education in order to enhance the efficiency of the institution to overcome problems
and the difficulties they face in day to day functioning. A few suggested examples are given
below:
of teacher education in order to enhance the efficiency of the institution to overcome problems
and the difficulties they face in day to day functioning. A few suggested examples are given
below:
1. Devise a new approach/instructional strategy in any subject area.
2. Prepare and use innovative teaching-learning materials including ICT.3. Identification and mobilization /use of resources drawn from the local community/
environment for improvement of teaching-learning.4. Develop local specific curricular materials for teaching-learning.
5. Develop innovative strategies for classroom management leading to an improvement
in the organizational climate or better use of available resources in the class or school.6. Management of inter-personal relationships.7. Assessment of learning outcomes of students.8. Evolve strategies for inculcation of Peace and other human values.9. Devise strategies for educating differently-abled children.10. Study learning styles of children/student-teachers/ teacher educators.11. Sensitizing and empowering disadvantaged groups.
5. ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION – National Award For Innovative Practices
Teachers and teacher educators from recognized schools/teacher education institutions at all
stages are eligible to participate in the Scheme:
stages are eligible to participate in the Scheme:
School Teachers
1. Any teacher of Pre-school (pre-primary), Elementary (primary and upper primary), the secondary and senior secondary school recognised by State Board/CBSE or any
other recognised Board.
1. Any teacher of Pre-school (pre-primary), Elementary (primary and upper primary), the secondary and senior secondary school recognised by State Board/CBSE or any
other recognised Board.
2. Teacher of any recognized Special Education School.
Teacher Educators
1. Teacher educators of Teacher Education Institutions at Pre-primary/Primary/ Upper
Primary/Secondary level offering Teacher Education Programme.
Primary/Secondary level offering Teacher Education Programme.
2. Teacher educators of Colleges of Education including CTEs, IASEs and University
Departments of Education offering B.Ed. /M.Ed., B.El.Ed., B.A.B.Ed. and B.Sc.Ed.
programmes.
Departments of Education offering B.Ed. /M.Ed., B.El.Ed., B.A.B.Ed. and B.Sc.Ed.
programmes.
3. Faculty members of State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs)
and State Institutes of Education (SIEs) offering teacher education programmes.
and State Institutes of Education (SIEs) offering teacher education programmes.
6. NUMBER OF AWARDS – National Award For Innovative Practices
For School Teachers – 40
A. Pre-primary/Primary/Elementary school – 20
B. Secondary/Senior Secondary Schools – 20.
For Teacher Educators – 20
A. Teacher Education Institutions at Pre-primary/Primary/Elementary levels – 10
B. Teacher Education Institutions at Secondary level – 10.
Total number of Awards – 60
7. SUBMISSION OF PROJECT PROPOSALS – National Award For Innovative Practices
Teachers and teacher educators shall submit a project proposal in the given format to the Principal,
Regional Institute of Education (RIE) of the region concerned (Annexure-1) latest by 31st
July every year. The project proposal should be submitted in the following format:
Regional Institute of Education (RIE) of the region concerned (Annexure-1) latest by 31st
July every year. The project proposal should be submitted in the following format:
8. EVALUATION OF PROJECT PROPOSAL – National Awards for Innovative Practices and Experiments in Education for Schools and Teacher Education Institutions
Project proposals received for the Scheme will be evaluated at two levels:
First Level
1. The project proposal will be evaluated at the first stage at the RIE level by two
experts/RIE faculty members independently to determine the merit of the
proposal.
experts/RIE faculty members independently to determine the merit of the
proposal.
2. The project proposal considered to be innovative by the RIE will be forwarded to
the Head, Department of Teacher Education, NCERT, New Delhi.
the Head, Department of Teacher Education, NCERT, New Delhi.
Second Level
1. Project proposals forwarded by the RIEs will be evaluated at the central level
(Department of Teacher Education, NCERT, New Delhi) by two experts independently.
(Department of Teacher Education, NCERT, New Delhi) by two experts independently.
2. The teachers and teacher educators whose project proposals are selected shall be
informed to implement the project and submit the report along with the summary
before the suggested last date.
informed to implement the project and submit the report along with the summary
before the suggested last date.
9. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECT
Teachers and teacher educators, whose project proposals have been approved, will implement
their proposal. Selected schools/institutions will be visited by NCERT faculty for on-the-spot
observation and interaction with the Project coordinator/Head of the school/institution etc.
their proposal. Selected schools/institutions will be visited by NCERT faculty for on-the-spot
observation and interaction with the Project coordinator/Head of the school/institution etc.
10.THE RULES – National Awards for Innovative Practices and Experiments in Education for Schools and Teacher Education Institutions
i. A teacher or a teacher educator can undertake only one project during a particular year.
ii. The innovation should be based on the original work of an individual.
iii. The Project Report should be approximately 5,000 words excluding appendices.
iv. The Project Report along with its summary in about 500 words needs to be submitted.
v. The Project Report may be written in English/Hindi or any other regional language.
However, the profile of the institution must be attached as given in English or Hindi
even if the paper is written in a regional language.
However, the profile of the institution must be attached as given in English or Hindi
even if the paper is written in a regional language.
vi. In case the report is written in a regional language, the title should also be given in
English/Hindi.
vii. The award will be given to the Teacher/Teacher educator (Project Coordinator). The
project coordinator and Head of the school/institution would be invited to present the report in the National Seminar.
English/Hindi.
vii. The award will be given to the Teacher/Teacher educator (Project Coordinator). The
project coordinator and Head of the school/institution would be invited to present the report in the National Seminar.
viii. The NCERT reserves the right to use the selected Project reports in any manner it
deems fit.
deems fit.
ix. In all matters pertaining to the scheme, the decision of the NCERT shall be final and
binding on the participating individual.
binding on the participating individual.
x. Teachers and teacher educators getting the cash award during a particular year shall not
be entitled to receive the same again in the next three years. However, they may
participate in the scheme and if the project is selected for the National Award for Innovative Practices award they would receive the
certificate only.
be entitled to receive the same again in the next three years. However, they may
participate in the scheme and if the project is selected for the National Award for Innovative Practices award they would receive the
certificate only.
FORMAT OF THE PROJECT REPORT – The project report needs to be included:
a) Genesis – In this section, teachers/teacher educators may briefly describe the background of the project, specifying the rationale for undertaking it.
b) Preparatory work/designing of the innovations – Teachers/Teacher educators may describe the preparatory activities undertaken for the
execution of the project. Obviously, the preparatory work shall include mobilisation of
required resources-human as and material.
execution of the project. Obviously, the preparatory work shall include mobilisation of
required resources-human as and material.
c) Execution of the Project – Teachers/teacher educators need to narrate how the project was implemented and what
activities were undertaken during different phases. The title of the Project and objectives
of the Project needs to be stated in clear terms. Limitations and problems or difficulties, if
any, may also be brought out.
activities were undertaken during different phases. The title of the Project and objectives
of the Project needs to be stated in clear terms. Limitations and problems or difficulties, if
any, may also be brought out.
d) Results/Outcomes – Teachers/teacher educators should clearly bring out the results achieved through the
execution of the project and highlight if there is enough evidence indicative of
improvement in some aspect of its work students learning outcomes, classroom
management, interpersonal relationships, etc.
e) Conclusions and Implications – In this section, the teachers/teacher educators need to summarize the results and bring out
educational implications for institutional improvement and specify the strategy to be
adopted for the sustainability of the innovation.
execution of the project and highlight if there is enough evidence indicative of
improvement in some aspect of its work students learning outcomes, classroom
management, interpersonal relationships, etc.
e) Conclusions and Implications – In this section, the teachers/teacher educators need to summarize the results and bring out
educational implications for institutional improvement and specify the strategy to be
adopted for the sustainability of the innovation.
The project report should specifically reflect the following:
a) Imagination and creativity in the selection of the problem/project.b) Clarity in the statement of the study.c) Rationale for designing the innovation and its objectives.d) Effective and meaningful presentation and organization of content.e) Results/findings/ and conclusions in clear words.f) Educational implications of the innovation, especially its utility for teachers, teacher-educators,
students, student-teachers, parents and society.g) Plan for ensuring the sustainability of the innovation. Teachers/Teacher educators should submit a
certificate in the prescribed Performa from the Head of the institution where the innovation has
been implemented.
11. SUBMISSION OF THE PROJECT REPORT
Two copies of the project report in about 5000 words and its summary in about 500 words
and a copy each of Annexures duly filled in should be sent to the Head, Department of
Teacher Education, NCERT, Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi-110016 before the suggested
last date.
and a copy each of Annexures duly filled in should be sent to the Head, Department of
Teacher Education, NCERT, Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi-110016 before the suggested
last date.
12. EVALUATION OF THE PROJECT REPORT
Teachers and teacher educators, whose project proposals are approved, will implement their
proposal and submit a project report to the Head, Department of Teacher Education, NCERT, Sri
Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi-110016 for evaluation. Project Coordinator and Head of the
School/Institute will be invited to present the report at the National Seminar. The final selection
for giving a cash award of Rs. 10,000/- (Rupees ten thousand only) and certificate will be
based on combined assessment rating of project report and its presentation in the National
Seminar.
proposal and submit a project report to the Head, Department of Teacher Education, NCERT, Sri
Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi-110016 for evaluation. Project Coordinator and Head of the
School/Institute will be invited to present the report at the National Seminar. The final selection
for giving a cash award of Rs. 10,000/- (Rupees ten thousand only) and certificate will be
based on combined assessment rating of project report and its presentation in the National
Seminar.
For Further Information Contact:
Head/Project Coordinator
Department of Teacher Education,
NCERT Sri Aurobindo Marg,
New Delhi – 110016
Phone No. 011-26567320
Mob: 9810600537
Head/Project Coordinator
Department of Teacher Education,
NCERT Sri Aurobindo Marg,
New Delhi – 110016
Phone No. 011-26567320
Mob: 9810600537
For More Information: CLICK HERE
source:ncert