BENGALURU, 27 JUNE

After three decades of service in education, L Sameena Banu, a 59-year-old Urdu lecturer at BBMP PU College for Girls, Cleveland Town, has been honoured with the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Award for Best Teacher of the Year.

Her journey was far from easy. Coming from a conservative Muslim family, Sameena aspired to become a lawyer. But when her mother became ill, she set her dreams aside to fulfil her mother’s wish, for her to become a teacher.

“It was the best decision of my life. Whatever I am today is because of my parents and my husband who stood by me,” Banu said.

Despite financial struggles and societal pressure, she pursued higher education, completing her BA in Economics and Urdu, an MA in Urdu, and a BeD, thanks to her mother’s unwavering support.

For Banu, teaching has never been just a job. Over her 30-year career, she has supported economically weaker students, helping them gain admission into BBMP institutions and personally covering their fees when needed. “My main aim is to uplift the economically weaker sections and to serve people and get as many students education as possible,” she told Salar News.

In one case, she even helped pay off a debt owed by the parents of a student who was at risk of dropping out.

She believes that BBMP schools and colleges are unfairly overlooked. “Because they are government-run, people frown upon them, forgetting they are among the most affordable, with fees rarely exceeding Rs 2,000,” she said. “BBMP even offers Rs 35,000 to distinction holders in board exams and serves high-quality mid-day meals, but all these positives are often ignored.”

This year, BBMP PU Colleges achieved a 70 per cent pass rate with 31 distinctions, which Banu sees as a testament to the quality of education provided. However, she notes that limited infrastructure, such as classrooms and seating, remains a challenge in accommodating the growing demand.

“Hard work, sincerity, punctuality and being duty-conscious are essential to achieving success,” is her message to young teachers. “Being a government teacher is not easy. We teach from 9.30am to 3.30pm, and also undertake additional government duties like election and census work.”

Her efforts have not gone unnoticed. “Sameena has a 100 per cent pass record in her subject, year after year,” said Raghu M, the college principal. “She maintains discipline and oversees the smooth running of the college. Though classes begin at 9:30, she arrives by 8.30am to ensure everything is in place. Most of our admissions happen because of her reputation — parents ask for her by name.”

Jazeela, a 2nd PUC Arts student, said, “She not only teaches but also advises us on making the right life decisions. Even though her subject is Urdu, she visits every class to check if we are facing any difficulties, in academics or in life.”