CHANDIGARH: Four school educators have been selected for the Derozio Awards 2025. The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) announced the recipients on Thursday. These awards recognize their substantial contributions to school education and human development.
The award ceremony is scheduled for Friday during the School Heads’ Meet in Chandigarh. Former Supreme Court Justice Vikramjit Sen, who also served as Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court, will present the honors. CISCE established the Derozio Awards to acknowledge educators whose leadership and dedication significantly strengthen the nation’s educational landscape.
These annual awards celebrate educators who have demonstrated a measurable impact across various educational levels. This includes contributions in primary, middle, secondary, and senior secondary education. The awards also recognize excellence in educational leadership.
Award Components and CISCE Statement
Each Derozio Award recipient receives a comprehensive recognition package. This includes a 24-gram gold medal and a citation plaque meticulously engraved in silver. A formal scroll and prize money totaling Rs 1 lakh are also part of the honor. Joseph Emmanuel, Chief Executive and Secretary of CISCE, commented on the selections. He stated that this year’s awardees exemplify dedication and innovation in their educational practices. Emmanuel added that the rigorous evaluation process confirmed significant educational transformation within CISCE-affiliated schools and highlighted the ongoing commitment of educators nationwide.
2025 Derozio Awardees
The four distinguished educators chosen for the Derozio Awards 2025 hold diverse roles within CISCE-affiliated institutions across India. Their selection underscores their individual impact on students and school communities.
| Name | Role | Institution | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shinoj Kizhakkemuriyil | Principal | St Antony’s School | Ghaziabad |
| Priti Sinha | Principal | Gulmohar High School | Jamshedpur |
| Seena Joseph | Principal | Auxilium Nava Jyoti School | Kerala |
| Kusum Uniyal | TGT Science | Jyoti Vidyalaya | Joshimath, Uttarakhand |
School Heads’ Conference Details
The Derozio Awards presentation is a key event within the two-day School Heads’ Conference. The Association of Schools for the Indian School Certificate organized this significant gathering. The conference commenced on Thursday in Chandigarh. Over 2,000 heads of CISCE-affiliated schools from across India are attending. The primary objective is to discuss emerging educational trends and to collaboratively define a forward-looking roadmap for schools in the coming years.
The central theme for this year’s conference is “Building Stronger Schools Together.” Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Kumar Mittal delivered the inaugural address, setting the tone for discussions. Mittal emphasized the critical need for collaboration among educational institutions, universities, and all stakeholders. He articulated that education must prepare students for a wide array of career paths and life skills. This includes fostering abilities in sports, entrepreneurship, and innovation, rather than exclusively focusing on traditional white-collar employment. He concluded by noting that schools are instrumental in igniting imagination, a quality higher education must continue to cultivate and expand.
About CISCE
The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) is a national board of school education in India. It administers the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) examination for Class 10 students. CISCE also conducts the Indian School Certificate (ISC) examination for Class 12 students. Schools affiliated with CISCE are located throughout India, offering a standardized curriculum under these recognized boards.