Chandigarh, Sept 5: Mrs. Sukhpal, Principal of Government Model Senior Secondary School (GMSSS), Sector 21A, Chandigarh, has been conferred with the prestigious State Award for Teachers by the Chandigarh Administration in recognition of her exceptional teaching and administrative leadership.
With 33 years of service, including 9 years as Principal, Mrs. Sukhpal has made remarkable contributions to education in the Union Territory. A University Topper and Gold Medallist in M.Sc. (Physics), she has previously received several accolades, including the Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar (2018) from the Ministry of Human Resource Development, commendations and special appreciation awards from the UT Education Department, as well as the Best Principal Award from Chandigarh University Chancellor and Rajya Sabha MP Sh. Satnam Singh Sandhu.
Under her leadership, GMSSS-21A has consistently excelled in academics, sports, and extracurricular activities, ranking among the top government schools in Chandigarh. The school has regularly produced toppers in the CBSE Class 12 results, and this year, the Class 10 topper from UT government schools was from her institution. Numerous students have gone on to secure admissions in IITs and medical colleges.
In sports, the school has made a mark nationally and internationally. One student has been selected for the U-17 International Judo event (2025), while in 2024–25 the school won 1 gold, 1 silver, and 3 bronze medals at the national level, and at the state level, clinched 28 gold, 11 silver, and 26 bronze medals in individual events, along with 18 gold, 91 silver, and 65 bronze medals in team events.
In extracurricular pursuits, the school has won first positions with cash prizes for the last three years at the State-level Rose Festival Folk Dance competitions, as well as top positions in Independence Day theme-based competitions. At the National Bal Rang competition, the school bagged 2nd position (2022–23) and 3rd position (2024–25).
Mrs. Sukhpal has also led infrastructure innovations, creating unique facilities such as Chandan Vatika, a Safety and Security Traffic Park, Yoga Park, Mays Park, an Art and Achievers’ Gallery, and a skill-training classroom in collaboration with Swaraj Engines Ltd., through which five girl students received placements. She also organizes an annual Vocational Fest on Diwali, where students exhibit and sell handmade clothes, handicrafts, and artworks.
Beyond her school, she has successfully taken up departmental responsibilities, including organizing State-level Kala Utsav, Samavesh for CWSN students, and the Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyaan as Nodal Officer, while also conducting teacher training programs.
Her tenure has transformed GMSSS-21A into not only a hub of academic excellence but also a model of clean, green, and skill-oriented education, making her a deserving recipient of the State Award for Teachers.
