The Kondagaon administration has directed all schools in the district to develop geography laboratories. The move follows the national recognition of a PM Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya teacher for an innovative social science lab. Collector Nupur Rashi Panna has decided to establish geography labs in the district’s schools using the same format. The step aims to promote practical and experience-based learning among students. Scroll down to get more details.
A Teacher’s Award Sparks a District Wide Plan
Vinayak Kohli is a social science teacher at PM Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya Kondagaon. He was named the national winner in the Geography category at the India’s Best Teachers Awards 2026. The award was jointly organised by Oxford Said Business School and the Shiv Nadar Foundation. He was selected from more than 9,400 teachers across 32 states and Union Territories. His model integrated Bastar’s culture, art, local geography and everyday life into classroom teaching. It turned the class into a working laboratory rather than a textbook-only space.
After the award Collector Panna announced that principals across the district will now set up geography labs in their institutions. The initiative is framed under the district’s geography laboratory and art-integrated teaching project. It aims to connect students with local soil, crops, forests , crafts and livelihoods. It will teach map work, physical and human geography through models, mini-museums and student-led projects.
Project Rollout and Kohli’s Role as Head Mentor
Based on a departmental review meeting held on September 9, 2026 under the chairmanship of Collector Panna the administration announced the construction of geography labs. One school will be selected in each development block of Kondagaon district. The official order has directed the principals of the selected schools to make a room available for the construction of the Geography Laboratory.
The district administration has appointed Kohli as the Head Mentor for the project. As chief mentor his duties include guiding the design structure and pedagogical format of the laboratories. He will also give guidelines for effective implementation of art-integrated learning in the district’s schools. He will mentor the district’s Social Science Geography History and Art teachers and provide them training and support. He will lead the team by visiting selected schools from time to time and ensuring the quality of implementation.
The administration noted that the initiative will give students experiential and action-based education. It will fulfil the objectives of the National Education Policy 2020. It will preserve and promote the rich art and cultural heritage of Bastar. It will also make Kondagaon the first district in the state where this model is implemented on a large scale. All heads of the concerned institutions have been directed to support the chief mentor. Principals of all selected schools are also directed to fix a time for students along with the Geography subject teacher or in-charge to visit the laboratory at PM Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya Kondagaon.
Also Read:
BITS Pilani’s Amaravati Campus Gets New Founding Director, Mohan Krishnamoorthy to Lead New Campus
