Bihar Teacher's Playful Lessons Win Her State Award
Nikita Bharti, a Nawada head teacher, wins the State Teacher Award 2026 for her activity-based teaching methods using songs and games.
A primary school teacher from Bihar's Nawada district has been recognised for turning her classroom into a space of active learning. Nikita Bharti, head teacher at Primary School Shahpur Nahar, will receive the State Teacher Award 2026 in Patna on September 5, Teachers' Day.
Bharti's approach stems from an observation: her students were more drawn to games and music than to conventional lessons. She decided to blend these interests into her teaching. In one activity, children sing about birds and fruits, acting out the scene as birds fly away one by one. This helps them grasp counting and the concept of decreasing numbers through direct participation.
Beyond academics, Bharti uses similar activity-based methods to discuss personal safety. She explains the difference between good touch and bad touch, guiding children on how to identify uncomfortable situations and encouraging them to speak with a trusted adult if they ever feel unsafe.
Bharti also develops her own teaching-learning materials (TLMs) to simplify difficult subjects. Her goal is to ensure that children learn by doing, rather than just listening.
A resident of Mirzapur in Nawada, Bharti began her teaching career in 2015 at Nagar Madhya Vidyalaya. She moved to her current role as head teacher in 2025. Despite limited resources, she has worked to improve the school's academic environment and infrastructure, including efforts to construct a permanent building for the institution.
Her selection for the award was supported by guidance from Santosh Kumar Verma, a physical education teacher and recipient of the State Teacher Award 2024, and Suman Gray, head teacher of Higher Secondary School Aanti. The announcement has been welcomed by colleagues and the local school community.