The Shikshagraha Movement presented the Shikshana Nava Chetana Award at a district-level education dialogue in Mysuru, recognising practical, low-cost improvements led by schools and community stakeholders. The ceremony took place at the Rani Bahadur auditorium, Manasagangothri, where Mysuru-Kodagu Member of Parliament Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar handed out the awards and encouraged coordinated local action to strengthen education outcomes.
Mysuru education initiative drives school innovation
Designed for participants working with children from early childhood education through to Grade 10, the award seeks to encourage school leaders, teachers, School Development and Monitoring Committee members, Anganwadi workers, supervisors, youth and women leaders to identify focused areas for change and develop practical solutions tailored to local needs. The initiative aims to nurture a culture of continuous improvement so schools can implement sustainable, context‑driven reforms without heavy financial burden.
During his address, MP Yaduveer stressed the city’s strengths and the need for collective effort. He said Mysuru has the foundation, history and leadership required to build an education ecosystem where every child can grow, learn and succeed from cradle to career. He described the Shikshana Samvaada as the first step towards shaping a shared vision and called on youth and organisations to work together to make Mysuru‑Kodagu a model district in education.
The event also honoured winners of the Yuva Hejje competition, with prizes and certificates of appreciation presented to recognise youth contributions. By spotlighting student and youth-led projects, organisers hope to sustain engagement and scale promising ideas across the district.
Representatives from several local and national institutions attended the dialogue. Nagaraj, Director of the District Institute of Education and Training, and Basavaraju from the Women and Child Development Department were present. Resource persons included Dr Chaitra from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, while Sudheer Ullamane represented OSAT Institution. Khushboo Avasti, founder of Shikshagraha, outlined the award’s criteria and the movement’s approach to supporting grassroots innovation.
Participants emphasised that improvement in schools can come from simple, well‑focused changes. Examples highlighted during the event ranged from classroom organisation and learning aids to community engagement strategies that increase attendance and learning time. The awards reward solutions that are replicable and sensitive to local realities, making them easier for neighbouring schools to adopt.
Organisers say the Shikshana Nava Chetana Award is open to a broad set of stakeholders so that change agents at every level can participate. The inclusive approach aims to harness local leadership, whether from teachers, Anganwadi workers or parent committees, and to recognise the role of youth and women leaders in driving sustained improvements.
Looking ahead, Shikshagraha intends to document winning practices and facilitate peer learning across schools in Mysuru and Kodagu. By building evidence of what works at low cost, the movement hopes to inform district planning and inspire larger investments where necessary. With backing from local institutions and national resource persons, organisers expect the initiative to contribute measurably to the quality of education in the region.
The awards and the Shikshana Samvaada signal a renewed focus on collaborative, locally led reform. Stakeholders left the event with practical ideas and a call to action from MP Yaduveer to move beyond isolated efforts towards a coordinated strategy that benefits every child in the district.
Key Takeaways:
- Mysuru education initiative spotlights low-cost, context-driven school improvements across Mysuru and Kodagu.
- MP Yaduveer presented awards during the Shikshana Samvaada at Manasagangothri, underlining collective responsibility for education.
- Winners of the Yuva Hejje competition received prizes and certificates, promoting youth engagement.
- Local institutions including DIET and NIMHANS joined Shikshagraha to support capacity building for early childhood to Grade 10 stakeholders.
