Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Kondagaon Plans Geography Labs After Teacher Wins National Award
Vinayak Kohli is a teacher in Kondagaon who won a national teaching award for his Geography work.
His classroom uses local culture, art and places to help students learn.
After he won, the district administration decided to create geography labs in schools.
The official order selects one school in each development block for a lab.
Students will learn through maps, models, mini-museums and projects.
The labs are meant to connect lessons to local soil, crops, forests, crafts and jobs.
Kohli will help design the labs and train teachers.
Students from selected schools are also directed to visit the lab at PM Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya Kondagaon.
Teacher Vinayak Kohli won the Geography category at the India's Best Teachers Awards 2026.
Kohli was selected from more than 9,400 teachers across 32 states and Union Territories.
His teaching model combines Bastar's culture, art, geography and everyday life in a social science laboratory.
Kondagaon officials ordered geography labs in selected schools, with one school chosen in each district development block for construction.
Kohli was appointed head mentor to guide lab design, teacher training and project implementation.
- Who
- Vinayak Kohli, Kondagaon Collector Nupur Rashi Panna, and schools in Kondagaon district.
- What
- The district is establishing geography laboratories and has appointed Kohli as head mentor.
- When
- The decision followed a departmental review meeting on September 9, 2026; Kohli won the 2026 award.
- Where
- Kondagaon district, Chhattisgarh, India.
- Why
- To promote practical, experience-based and art-integrated learning linked to local geography and Bastar's cultural heritage.
- Teacher
- Vinayak Kohli, social science teacher at PM Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya Kondagaon
- Award
- National winner in the Geography category at the India's Best Teachers Awards 2026
- Selection pool
- More than 9,400 teachers across 32 states and Union Territories
- Project coverage
- One selected school in each development block of Kondagaon district is to receive a geography lab
- Head mentor
- Vinayak Kohli
- Review meeting
- September 9, 2026, chaired by Collector Nupur Rashi Panna
- Learning approach
- Practical and art-integrated learning using local subjects, maps, models, mini-museums and student projects