Salwan Education Trust recognises and celebrates institution-wide commitment to the pursuit of teaching and learning excellence. The Trust and its teachers make unique and profound impact on students’ growth and personality. Recognising this never-ending contribution of the teachers of Salwan schools, SET instituted ‘Smt. Surrinder Randhawa Memorial Distinguished Teacher Award’ to give credence to a progressive PGT.

The Award was conceptualised by Hon’ble Trustee Sh. G.S. Randhawa in the memory of his mother, who superannuated as Vice-Principal of Salwan Girls Sr. Sec. School in 1988. Smt. S. Randhawa joined SGS as TGT in 1953, was promoted to the post of PGT History in the year 1962 and subsequently became the Vice Principal in 1983. Smt. Randhawa was also honoured with the State Teacher’s Award in 1985.

The evaluation process was comprehensive and rigorous. An eminent panel of jury members was constituted comprising of Hon’ble CEO Salwan Education Trust, Maj. Gen. (Dr.) R.N. Masaldan, VSM (Retd.), Hon’ble Trustee Sh. G.S. Randhawa, IRS (Retd.), Hon’ble Trustee Smt. Janak Juneja, IAS (Retd.) and Hon’ble Chairman GDSPS Sh. B.L. Vohra, IPS (Retd.) In the first stage, two teachers each from public schools and one teacher each from the aided schools, under the aegis of SET, were nominated for the Award by their respective school Principals. The nominated candidates were assessed on the information and evidences provided by them, indicating their levels of inspiring enthusiasm, creating independent learning atmosphere, thus eliciting high level of achievement from students. The panel judged the applicants on the criteria, such as excellence in the leadership of teaching and learning, innovation, mentorship, selfless service, ability to demonstrate and continue to pursue a high mastery of subject matter and best practices of instruction, and initiative exhibited in discharge of additional responsibilities. All applications were ranked quantitatively based on both Principal’s and jury’s scores, while considering the qualitative comments. This was followed by an interview with the panellists.

The Salwan Education Trust conferred Smt. Surrinder Randhawa Memorial Distinguished Teacher Award 2019 on Ms. Dolly Dhawan, PGT English, G.D. Salwan Public School to honour her noteworthy contribution in the field of education on 15th November 2019 to coincide with the birth anniversary of Late Smt. Surrinder Randhawa, at GDSPS.

The award ceremony commenced with a soulful prayer. The ceremony was graced with the presence of Hon’ble CEO Salwan Education Trust, Maj. Gen. (Dr.) R.N. Masaldan, VSM (Retd.), Hon’ble Trustee Sh. G.S. Randhawa, IRS (Retd.), Maj. Gen. Sh. Sanjay Agrawal, Director GDSPS, Sh. J.N. Chopra,  Director Internal Audit and Finance, SET,  Brig. (Dr.) A.K. Tyagi, Director SPS Mayur Vihar, Col. Ashok Kaul (Retd.)  Director, SPS, TDSC, Ms. Saroj Achra,  Principal, SBS, Ms. Alka Sibbal, Principal, SGS, Ms. Mukul Jha, Principal, GDSPS, faculty members of GDSPS and sister institutions, family members of the awardee Ms. Dolly Dhawan and alumni of GDSPS. A warm welcome was extended to the dignitaries present. Hon’ble CEO accorded a green welcome to Hon’ble Trustee Sh. G. S. Randhawa. The guests paid homage to Late Smt. Surrinder Randhawa by offering flowers and lighting candles in her memory.

The CEO, SET addressed the gathering and briefed them about the parameters on which the candidates for the prestigious award were screened. He appreciated the credentials of each of the nominated teachers from their respective schools and encouraged the faculty members to aspire for the award and groom themselves to meet the needs of the 21st century learners. He, thereafter, announced the winner of the award and congratulated Ms. Dolly Dhawan and her family members on her achievement.

Ms. Mukul Jha, Principal GDSPS shared the profile of Ms. Dolly Dhawan and listed her accomplishments in the 24 years of service rendered by her at the Salwan Schools. She apprised the gathering of Ms. Dhawan’s noteworthy journey from being a teacher to a teacher trainer and content writer. She highlighted her contributions to CBSE, NCERT, SCERT as Master Trainer, Resource Person, contributor to NCERT textbooks, thereby keeping the spirit of a lifelong learner alive by pursuing online courses, MOOCs, webinars, etc. She appreciated her zeal and enthusiasm in creating a happy learning atmosphere for her students.

The award comprising of a cheque of Rs.50,000/- and a certificate of recognition was presented to Ms. Dolly Dhawan by Hon’ble Trustee Sh. G.S. Randhawa, CEO SET and Director Admin, SET. Hon’ble Trustee Sh. G.S. Randhawa, in his address, shared the journey and achievements of his mother at SGS and the values he had imbibed as the son of such a noble soul. He congratulated the awardee and appreciated the confidence and positivity in her interaction with the panel of judges.

Ms. Dolly Dhawan thanked the Trust for the honour, and numerous opportunities and exposure she had received in all these years. It had helped in her professional growth and encouraged her to a better teacher and mentor for her students. She expressed her gratitude to Sh. G.S. Randhawa for acknowledging and honouring the noble work of his mother who had shouldered challenges and responsibilities in different capacities at SGS. Acknowledging the support and enthusiasm of her students, she reiterated that a good student makes a good teacher.

The award ceremony was a great inspiration for other teachers to recognize their innate talent and make a difference in education. The award aims to increase teachers’ motivation, self-belief and professional identity.