Amid the worrisome situation across the country, Maharashtra has received a piece of good news and something to rejoice as a teacher from a Zilla Parishad school in Solapur is in the race of winning the Global Teacher Prize 2020. These awards are given by Varkey Foundation based in London and the 31-year-old is on the list of 50 finalists. If selected, Ranjitsinh Disale from Paritewadi, Solapur district may bag a cash prize of US$1-million prize (INR 7 crores)
Dislae's aim was to help Children experience education beyond textbooks. In 2014, he learned that the students can benefit from the information available online and due to lack of enough laptops, he created QR codes which were then stuck in the books, near multiple chapters, which kids would scan using mobile phones, thereby get access to other resources online.
Observing the success and benefit of this mode of education, the Government of Maharashtra, In 2015, adopted the idea by making QR codes available in Balbharati textbooks. A survey conducted by MSCERT, the count of digitally-enabled state primary schools has increased from 11,228 to 63,458, indicated a six-fold from 2015 to 2018.
Disale is also working on a special project since 2017, where he nurtures friendship between students in India and Pakistan, where video sessions are conducted for students. In an interview with Mumbai Mirror, he expressed his happiness stating, “I am over the moon. I was expecting it last year, but it happened this year.” His global peace project titled ‘Let’s Cross the Border’ was appreciated for the efforts and cause where he aims to educate children beyond borders, from countries like Pakistan, Iran, Iraq. “Through education, we encourage students across communicate with peers across the border,” he had added.
Disale has stated that he would distribute half the amount with 49 other teachers who empower education. This way he would be able to fund their initiative, thereby support more teachers. Besides this, he will also give a part of his prize amount to some teachers in Maharashtra, who have focused on empowering innovation in classroom, stating that "Teachers are innovating. They have the potential. They only need support.”
Other Indians who were also a part of this year's list were Vineeta Garg and Shuvajit Payne from Delhi and Rajasthan, respectively.
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