Panaji, 5 September : Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant on Teachers’ Day honoured nine distinguished educators with the Chief Minister’s VASHISTHA Guru Puraskar 2025-26, while reiterating the State government’s commitment to resolving long-pending issues concerning teachers and accelerating technology-driven reforms in Goa’s education sector.

The awards were presented at the 65th Teachers’ Day celebration organised by the Directorate of Education, Government of Goa. Union Minister Shripad Naik, Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade, senior officials, teachers and other dignitaries attended the programme.

The nine teachers were selected across primary, secondary, high school headmaster and higher secondary principal categories for their exemplary contribution to education. Assistant District Education Inspectors (ADEIs) were also recognised for their efforts.

Nine VASHISTHA Guru Puraskar Awardees

In the Primary Teacher Category, Eshwar Raghuvir Parab of Government Primary School, Surla, Bicholim, and Arati Ashok Kolambkar of Government Primary School, Chavdi, Canacona, were honoured.

In the Secondary Teacher Category, the awardees were Nitin D. Naik, Physical Education Teacher at Shivajiraje High School, Kholpewada, Sal, Bicholim; Devendra B. Sathe of Dattaram Mantravadi Memorial High School, Mapusa; Prashant Tari, Special Educator at Gujarati Samaj Educational Trust for the Handicapped Special School, Aquem, Margao; and Gourish R. Vernekar, Drawing Teacher at Shree Katyayani Baneshwar High School, Canacona.

In the High School Headmaster Category, Narendra M. Naik of Government High School, Hankhane, Pernem, and Mable Maria Perpetua Vaz e DA Costa, Headmistress of Mae Dos Pobres High School, Nuvem, Salcete, received the award.

In the Higher Secondary Principal Category, Umesh P. Naik, Principal of Shri Shantadurga Higher Secondary School, Pirna, Bardez, was honoured.

Government Focus on Teacher-Centric Reforms

Addressing the gathering, Sawant said the State government remains committed to strengthening the teaching community through teacher-centric reforms and resolving long-pending issues affecting educators.

He said the government has also focused on maintenance grants for aided schools, technology-driven education and successful implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP).

The Chief Minister highlighted Goa’s progress in coding education and the introduction of the Vidya Samiksha Kendra, saying these initiatives demonstrate the State’s efforts to prepare students for the demands of a rapidly changing world.

Sawant said teachers are not merely educators but builders of character, creators of responsible citizens and architects of Viksit Bharat.

Congratulating all nine awardees, the Chief Minister expressed gratitude to teachers across Goa for their contribution to education, student development and nation-building.