Barnala's Pankaj Goyal, clerk turned National Teachers’ Awardee, brings pride to Punjab

Pankaj Kumar Goyal, a social sciences teacher at Government Senior Secondary School for Girls in Barnala, Punjab, has been selected for the National Teachers’ Award, 2024. This prestigious award, announced by the Union Ministry of Education, recognizes his outstanding efforts in improving the educational opportunities for underprivileged students. The award will be presented by President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi on September 5.

From clerk to award-winning teacher

Goyal's journey is inspiring. He started his career as a clerk in the Punjab Education Department in 2001, but his passion for teaching led him to pursue further education. He completed his graduation and B.Ed., eventually becoming a social sciences teacher in 2010. Goyal didn’t stop there; he continued to study, earning an MA in Political Science and English. 

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When he joined the Government Senior Secondary School for Girls in Barnala in 2016, Goyal noticed that many students, especially girls, were dropping out after Class 8 due to financial difficulties. To address this, he began offering special coaching sessions to help students qualify for the National Means-Cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme, which provides ₹12,000 annually to deserving students from Classes 8 to 12. His efforts have been successful, with 17 of his students winning the scholarship in the 2023-24 academic year.

Making learning engaging

Goyal is also praised for making social sciences more interesting and relevant to students' daily lives. Barnala Deputy Commissioner Poonam Deep Kaur expressed pride in Goyal’s achievements, highlighting his contributions to the overall development of girls through education. Goyal’s dedication to his students and his innovative teaching methods have made a significant impact, earning him national recognition.