New Delhi: Debajit Ghosh, a teacher from Assam who travels nearly 150 km every day through the Dihing Patkai National Park to reach his school, was honored with the National Teachers’ Award 2025 by President Droupadi Murmu on Friday. His journey of resilience and commitment has brought education to hundreds of children from tea garden communities who once dropped out after primary school.
Every morning, Ghosh sets out from Dibrugarh, navigating muddy stretches and the constant risk of elephant crossings. Despite the arduous commute, he remains determined to teach at Namsang Tea Garden Adarsha School, where he also serves as principal. “If I do not stay here, it will not be possible to carry out the developmental work at Namsang Tea Estate Model School. I need to send documents to the office regularly, and my wife also works in Dibrugarh. Moreover, I bring along two other teachers in my car, while the rest travel by bike, as there is no direct public transport to the school,” he explained.
Ghosh’s career began in 2013 as a science teacher at Dibrugarh Bengali High School. He quickly realized the importance of nurturing curiosity rather than focusing solely on marks. One of his earliest students, Abhishek, once struggled with writing but, with Ghosh’s mentorship, went on to score 100 in Science and 93 per cent overall in the matric exam. Today, Abhishek is pursuing a PhD in Mathematics.
Since the establishment of Namsang Tea Garden Adarsha School in 2022, Ghosh has led efforts to bring children back to classrooms. In its first year, the school enrolled 271 students, rising to 326 the next. From 32 students in the first HSLC batch, only 14 cleared, but the following year 18 out of 20 passed, raising the success rate to 90 per cent. “Earlier, the children of the tea garden had to leave school because there was no high school within a 15 km radius. The nearest one required crossing the Dehing Patkai National Park, which was extremely risky,” Ghosh said.
His teaching blends technology with practical learning. He uses ICT tools, virtual labs and interactive 3D resources to make lessons engaging. Beyond academics, he organized health camps under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram, identifying widespread anemia among students and ensuring they received treatment. In three years, hemoglobin levels in the community improved significantly. He also persuaded families to re-enroll 267 children who had dropped out to work in tea estates.
Ghosh emphasizes creativity and hands-on learning, encouraging students to experiment, make toys, and explore through their five senses. He also arranges regular visits from university professors and motivational speakers to inspire children to pursue higher education.
Reflecting on the award, he said: “It was a mixed feeling. I was very happy and emotional too, remembering my past. My father and mother worked very hard for my education. My uncle Late Tarit Ghosh who also helped me a lot in this journey.”
While grateful for recent government support in the form of a teachers’ quarter, a science lab and a library, he highlighted the need for a sports teacher and a contingency fund to cover high transportation costs. “A school in the plains and a school in the hilly areas cannot function effectively with the same grant,” he added.
Asked how he wishes to be remembered, Ghosh said: “As a teacher who not only taught them but also mentored them in the most crucial stage of their life.” His advice to young teachers is clear: “Prepare yourself not only to teach but also to cater to the needs of your students in every aspect. Learning is continuous — you must be aware of recent developments to deliver your best.”