Sri Vijaya Puram, June 2: Government Primary School (GPS), Kalady in North and Middle Andaman has earned national recognition after securing third position in the Foundational Category of the School Challenge–Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) 2025, an initiative of the Ministry of Education aimed at promoting tobacco-free learning environments across the country.
The achievement places the school among the top-performing educational institutions in India for its efforts to create awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco and foster healthy lifestyle habits among students. The recognition was conferred during the National Award Ceremony of School Challenge–ToFEI 2025 and the launch of the Nasha Mukt Vidyalaya Action Plan held in New Delhi on May 29.
The award ceremony brought together schools, educators and government officials from across the country who have been involved in implementing tobacco-control initiatives within educational institutions. The awards were presented by Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education.
GPS Kalady was selected following a multi-tier evaluation process conducted at district, state and national levels. The assessment examined various aspects of tobacco-control awareness, student engagement, school policies and community outreach activities undertaken by participating institutions.
The recognition highlights the school’s sustained efforts to build awareness among children about the dangers of tobacco consumption and exposure. Through educational activities and awareness campaigns, the institution has worked towards ensuring a healthy and safe learning environment for students.
Officials said the award reflects the growing emphasis on preventive health education in schools and aligns with the broader objective of creating a tobacco-free generation. The ToFEI programme seeks to integrate health promotion and anti-tobacco messaging into the education system, encouraging schools to become active partners in public health initiatives.
Representing the Andaman and Nicobar Islands at the national event, the award was received by Tarpan Sarkar, Primary School Teacher attached to the Office of the Deputy Director Education (Science), Shiksha Sadan. He received the honour in the presence of Ram Pravesh, Deputy Director of Education (Science), Andaman and Nicobar Administration.
Education officials described the achievement as a significant milestone for the Islands, noting that national-level recognition of a government primary school demonstrates the effectiveness of grassroots educational initiatives. The accomplishment is expected to encourage other schools in the archipelago to strengthen awareness programmes focused on health, wellness and substance-abuse prevention.
The award comes at a time when educational institutions across the country are increasingly being encouraged to play a proactive role in addressing public health challenges. By engaging students at an early age, programmes such as ToFEI aim to build long-term behavioural changes and reduce the prevalence of tobacco use among future generations.
The recognition of GPS Kalady has been viewed as a proud moment for the education sector in the Islands and a testament to the efforts of teachers, administrators and students who contributed to making the institution a model tobacco-free educational campus.
