Yaku Tame – Four Decades of Service to Education, Honoured on the National Stage
A teacher’s contribution is often measured not only by what happens inside a classroom, but by the lives transformed beyond it. In Arunachal Pradesh, the journey of Yaku Tame, reflects this wider role of education.
For more than four decades, Yaku Tame, Headmistress of Government Secondary School, G-Sector, Naharlagun, has dedicated her career to education, school development and the welfare of students. On 5 September 2026, that long journey received national recognition when she was conferred the National Teachers’ Award 2026 by President Droupadi Murmu at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on the occasion of Teachers’ Day.
Tame was the sole recipient from Arunachal Pradesh among the 48 school educators honoured nationally this year. The award comprises a Certificate of Merit, a silver medal and a cash prize of ₹50,000.
Her recognition places the contribution of Arunachal Pradesh’s educators on a national platform and highlights the important role teachers play in strengthening public education, supporting communities and nurturing young minds.
A Career That Began in a One-Teacher School
Tame began her teaching career on 30 November 1985 at LP School, Pachin Village, Naharlagun. At the time, she was the school’s sole teacher, taking responsibility for teaching students across classes and subjects.
Her subsequent postings took her to different parts of Arunachal Pradesh, including Nyapin in Kurung Kumey district and Yanman village in Changlang district, before she went on to serve as Headmistress of Government Secondary School, G-Sector, Naharlagun.
Her career reflects the realities of government education in a geographically diverse state, where teachers often serve as educators, mentors and important links between schools and communities.
Taking Education Beyond the Classroom
For Tame, teaching has extended beyond academic instruction. Her work has included efforts to encourage children from disadvantaged backgrounds to remain in school and to persuade families to support the education of their daughters.
She has also been associated with adult literacy efforts, particularly initiatives aimed at women who had not received opportunities for formal education.
Through such efforts, her work has connected education with wider community development and social participation.
Keeping Culture Connected to Education
An important aspect of Tame’s contribution has been her efforts to connect students with Nyishi language and cultural heritage, which was also recognised as part of her contribution as an educator.
In 2013, she introduced designated days at her school when students wore traditional attire. The initiative encouraged students to remain connected with their cultural identity while participating in everyday school life.
She also led a contingent of 150 students from Arunachal Pradesh to the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi, where the students presented the Rikham Pada dance, providing them with an opportunity to showcase the state’s cultural heritage on a national platform.
Strengthening the School Environment
As Headmistress of Government Secondary School, G-Sector, Naharlagun, Tame has also focused on aspects of school administration and student wellbeing.
Her work has included attention to student attendance, academic performance, the Mid-Day Meal programme, parental participation and school management. She has also encouraged counselling and regular interaction with students to help address concerns affecting their education and wellbeing.
These efforts reflect a broader understanding of school leadership where creating a positive learning environment is as important as academic achievement.
A National Honour for Arunachal’s Education Community
The National Teachers’ Award 2026 brought together 48 educators from across India, representing 27 States, seven Union Territories and six Central Government organisations. The awardees included 26 men and 22 women.
Tame’s selection and subsequent conferment of the award mark an important moment for Arunachal Pradesh. Her recognition acknowledges a career built over decades within the public education system and highlights the contribution of teachers working across the state’s diverse communities.
Her achievement also adds to a career that has received recognition at the state and district levels, including the Chief Minister’s Excellence Award and District Teachers’ Award.
A Milestone Beyond One Teacher
Tame’s story is ultimately larger than an individual award. It reflects the role teachers can play in connecting education with community development, girls’ education, cultural preservation and student wellbeing.
Her journey from beginning her career as the only teacher in a village school in 1985 to being honoured by the President of India in 2026 illustrates how sustained commitment to education can create an impact across generations.
For Arunachal Pradesh, the honour is a moment of pride for its teachers, students and education community. It is also a reminder of the important role educators play in shaping the state’s future while keeping its communities, languages and cultural traditions connected to the next generation.
As the state continues to strengthen school education and expand opportunities for its young population, stories such as hers serve as a reminder that meaningful educational change is built over time through committed teachers, supportive communities and the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to learn and grow.
From a classroom in Pachin Village to the national stage in New Delhi, Yaku Tame’s journey reflects the enduring power of a teacher’s service and the difference one educator can make across generations.
