Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Directorate of Education, Government of Goa, has announced the CM-Vashistha Guru Puraskar 2025–26, with nine educators selected for their exemplary contribution and dedicated service to the education sector.
The awards will be presented by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on September 5, 2026, at 11 am during the 65th Teachers’ Day celebrations at the Institute Menezes Bragança Hall in Panaji.
In the Primary Teacher category, the award will be presented to Eshwar Raghuvir Parab, Government Primary School Teacher at Government Primary School, Surla, Bicholim, and Arati Ashok Kolambkar, Government Primary School Teacher at Government Primary School, Chavdi, Canacona.
In the Secondary Teacher category, the awardees are Devendra B. Sathe, Assistant Teacher at Dattaram Mantrawadi Memorial High School, Mapusa; Nitin D. Naik, Physical Education Teacher at Shivajiraje High School, Kholpewada, Sal, Bicholim; Gourish R. Vernekar, Drawing Teacher at Shree Katyayani Baneshwar High School, Kindlem, Ponsulem, Canacona; and Prashant Tari, Special Educator at Gujarati Samaj Educational Trust for the Handicapped Special School, Aquem, Margao.
In the High School Headmaster category, Narendra M. Naik, Headmaster of Government High School, Hankhane, Pernem, and Mable Maria Perpetua Vaz e DA Costa, Headmistress of Mae Dos Pobres High School, Nuvem, Salcete, have been selected for the honour.
In the Higher Secondary Principal category, Umesh P. Naik, Principal of Shri Shantadurga Higher Secondary School, Pirna, Bardez, has been chosen for the award.
Meanwhile, the State Selection Committee has decided not to confer the award in the Higher Secondary Teacher category this year. The decision was taken unanimously after none of the four shortlisted candidates were found suitable following their presentations.
According to the Directorate of Education, the awards are intended to recognise educators who have demonstrated commitment and excellence in their service to students and the education system in Goa.
