"Achchha! Ye Sarkari School Hai!” – A Story of Leadership and Possibility

"Achchha! Ye Sarkari School Hai!” – A Story of Leadership and Possibility

On 22nd December 2023, I wrote the following entry in my reflective journal:

“Awadhesh Jha and Bharti ji extended a very warm welcome. He even offered us the famous kulfi-faluda of the place. Bharti ji gave us a small school tour and came all the way to see us off till the parking. I was truly touched. A thought is growing in my mind—to launch a program titled ‘Achchha! Ye Sarkari School Hai!’ (Really? This is a government school!) inspired by this school of Rohini, Sector 8. What an exceptional school, and what exceptional leadership.”

One and a half years later, the same Awadhesh Jha has been selected for the National Teachers’ Award 2025. And honestly, I am not surprised.

Breaking Stereotypes

We all carry stereotypes about government schools in India—weak infrastructure, low accountability, lack of discipline, and uninspired teaching. But Jha sir’s school shatters every single one of those perceptions. The first reaction of most visitors is one of disbelief:

“Achchha, this is a government school?!”

It is a co-educational government school with more than 3,000 students and around 100 teachers. Running such a massive institution is itself a challenge, yet the model that Awadhesh Jha has built is nothing short of visionary. In fact, it may well be the model for the future.

Working Beyond Systemic Limitations

Government systems, no matter how well-intentioned, have financial limitations. But this is where leadership makes the difference. As Principal, Jha sir ensured that his students never suffered because of lack of resources. He tapped into CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) partnerships and mobilized community support whenever required.

I recall one story from the Covid period. As schools shifted online, many children lacked devices. Instead of letting learning suffer, he inspired the community to donate smartphones for students. Within weeks, phones were arranged for those in need. For him, the message was clear—no child should be left behind for want of resources.

Building Bridges with Institutions

Under his leadership, the school became a hub of collaborations. Many organizations partnered with the school to offer opportunities that even elite private schools would envy.

• Physics Wallah ran offline and online classes—free of cost—for students preparing for IIT-JEE and medical entrance exams.
   
• A reputed institution offered coaching for CA aspirants within the school premises.
   
• The school library remained open beyond school hours, welcoming students who wanted a quiet space to read and learn.
   

Every time the government launched a new initiative, this school was among the first to implement it—whether it was a meditation lab, art and dance centre, or innovative teaching programs.

One story stays with me. A parent once suggested that dance classes would be wonderful for the children. On learning that the parent herself was a trained dancer, Bharti ji invited her to teach. She readily agreed. That is the kind of openness and community engagement that makes this school special.

I too once had the privilege to conduct a ‘Read with a Student’ session here, along with my colleague Chandan Jha. It was a memorable experience to witness such a culture of learning.

The Roots of Leadership

If one were to trace the roots of such leadership, it goes back to Jha sir’s own education. He studied at the famous Netarhat School in Jharkhand (erstwhile Bihar). The alumni of this institution are known for leading many prestigious government departments across India.

Later, during his years at Delhi University, he built a strong network and developed his own philosophy of education and leadership. What stands out most, however, is his personality. He is a magnet—you meet him once, and you never forget him. His humility leaves a mark, and that humility is at the heart of his leadership style.

He does not merely occupy a leadership position; he has earned the permission to lead from his colleagues and subordinates. That is rare.

System vs Agency

There is often a debate in education—does the system define outcomes, or can individual agency make the difference? Leaders like Awadhesh Jha show us that while systems have constraints, a determined leader can carve out spaces for innovation and transformation.

The National Teachers’ Award is not just a personal recognition for him—it is an opportunity for all of us to celebrate such school leaders, to learn from them, and to remind ourselves that government schools can indeed become centres of excellence, provided the right leadership is in place.

When I had first visited the school in 2023, I had thought of starting a program called “Achchha! Ye Sarkari School Hai!” because the experience challenged every stereotype I carried about government schools. Today, as the nation honors Awadhesh Jha with the National Teachers’ Award, I feel that very sentiment has found a larger echo. What I once scribbled privately in my reflective journal has now become a collective recognition—that with the right leadership, even a government school can stand as a model of excellence, innovation, and hope.