Peleno Petenilhu of John Government Higher Secondary School, Viswema, accompanied by her mother, Meeyong P Shüya, a retired teacher herself, after receiving the National Teachers Award 2025 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. (DIPR Photo)
Kohima, September 5 (MExN): Peleno Petenilhu, a teacher at John Government Higher Secondary School, Viswema, Kohima, has been awarded the National Teachers Award 2025, bringing recognition to Nagaland’s teaching fraternity. She was honored along with 65 educators from across India at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, on September 5.
India has approximately 9.8 million teachers, including 4.88 million in government schools and 3.54 million in private institutions, as per 2021–22 UDISE+ data. To be recognized among this vast community, the DIPR noted, is a significant achievement that highlights Peleno’s dedication and impact.
With over two decades of service, she began her career at Government High School Seikhazou before joining John Government Higher Secondary School, Viswema, in 2014. She has since been guided by the philosophy: “Education with Empathy, Leadership with Purpose.”
Among her contributions is the initiative “Each One Teach One,” which mobilizes Class 12 students to mentor juniors from underprivileged backgrounds. The peer-learning model, she has said, embodies the idea that education extends beyond textbooks and classrooms. The initiative, according to the release, has empowered mentees while instilling empathy and leadership in mentors, reflecting her motto: “Inspire One, Empower Many.”
Peleno has also taken personal steps to reduce school dropouts, including home visits, sponsoring admission fees, and providing mobile phones to disadvantaged learners. Her approach is rooted in what she describes as “Transforming Lives Through Compassionate Teaching.”
As President of the English Professional Learning Community (PLC) in Kohima District, she has encouraged collaboration among teachers through WhatsApp groups, online meetings, and trainings. She has also developed digital content for the ABHYAAS Learning Management System and prepared lesson plans for the DIKSHA platform.
In 2024, she was conferred the State Teacher Award in recognition of her service. Her work, the DIPR release stated, embodies the belief that, “One Teacher Can Transform Countless Futures.”
Through her efforts, Peleno Petenilhu continues what she calls her lifelong mission of “Lighting Minds, Building Futures.”
