Diglipur: In a proud moment for the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Government Primary School (GPS), Kalady in North & Middle Andaman has earned national recognition by securing the 3rd position in the Foundational Category of the prestigious School Challenge–ToFEI (Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions) 2025, an initiative of the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
The achievement highlights the growing impact of grassroots awareness campaigns from even the remotest corners of the country, with the small island school emerging as a national example in promoting a tobacco-free educational environment and healthy lifestyles among children. The honour 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 last Saturday.
The award ceremony was attended by Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSE&L), Ministry of Education, who felicitated the winning schools from across India for their outstanding efforts in tobacco control awareness and student engagement initiatives.
GPS Kalady received the recognition for its sustained efforts in creating awareness among students, encouraging healthy habits, and building a safe and tobacco-free learning atmosphere. The school emerged as a national-level winner after successfully clearing rigorous evaluations conducted at the District, State and National levels under the ToFEI programme.
The prestigious national award on behalf of GPS Kalady was received by Tarpan Sarkar, Primary School Teacher (PST), attached to the Office of the Deputy Director Education (Science), Shiksha Sadan, in the presence of Ram Pravesh, Deputy Director of Education (Science), Andaman & Nicobar Administration.
