Soma Mandal, an Indian science teacher from GD Goenka Public School in Delhi, was declared the South Asia regional winner of the Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards 2026. The award, organized by Cambridge University Press and Assessment, recognizes her work in integrating climate change and sustainability into school education. Mandal developed a dedicated climate curriculum, transforming science education into hands-on environmental action. Out of more than 12,000 global nominations from 126 nations, she secured her position as one of the nine regional winners globally.
Overview of Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards 2026
The Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards are annual global honors that celebrate primary and secondary school educators who make exceptional contributions to student learning, community development, and innovative teaching practice.
Nomination and Selection Metrics
- Total Nominations: Over 12,000 entries.
- Geographical Coverage: 126 countries.
- Shortlisted Nominees: 90 educators globally.
- Regional Winners: 9 distinct regional winners.
Core Incentives for Winners
- A dedicated winner’s trophy.
- £500 worth of Cambridge University Press books for the teacher’s classroom.
- Global and institutional publicity for the respective school.
- Feature on a special “Thank You” page in new Cambridge international textbooks scheduled for release in November 2026.
Analysis of the Regional Winners
The nine regional winners represent distinct global education corridors. The global winner is determined through public voting, which concluded on May 13, 2026, leading up to the final declaration on June 2, 2026.
| Regional Winner | Representing Country | Key Educational Contribution |
| Soma Mandal | India (South Asia) | Climate-focused curriculum, hands-on sustainability projects |
| Aisha Kiran | Pakistan | Specialized regional pedagogy and community leadership |
| Abigail Agyeiwaa | Ghana | Primary/secondary classroom innovation |
| Muhammet Aydin | Turkiye | Local student development models |
| Corina Corpas | Colombia | Regional educational outreach |
| Shingang Ding | China | Exceptional scholastic mentorship |
| Joanne Newman | Saudi Arabia | STEM / International curriculum execution |
| Elizabeth Seemann | USA | Specialized local educational initiatives |
| Velerie Wheelervon Primus | Malaysia | Community school transformation |
Pedagogy and Educational Impact of Soma Mandal
Soma Mandal possesses over ten years of teaching experience and holds a master’s degree in environmental science. Her educational methodology emphasizes practical problem-solving over theoretical learning.
Climate-Driven Curriculum Integration
Mandal established a specialized climate curriculum that blends core scientific concepts with ecological challenges. Her program drives real-world outcomes by focusing on key target sub-themes:
- Green Energy Transition: Teaching clean energy alternatives through applied school models.
- Biodiversity Conservation: Monthly interactive science projects mapping local species and ecosystems.
- Water Resource Conservation: Practical auditing of school water consumption and conservation campaigns.
- Student Agency and Leadership: Transforming learners into active decision-makers rather than passive consumers of environmental data.
IASPOINT Booster Facts for UPSC
- Organization Behind the Award: Cambridge University Press and Assessment is a non-teaching department of the University of Cambridge, UK, managing global international examinations (such as Cambridge IGCSE and International AS & A Level).
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Linked: This development directly relates to SDG 4 (Quality Education) – target 4.7 (education for sustainable development), and SDG 13 (Climate Action) – target 13.3 (improving education and awareness on climate change mitigation).
- Climate Education in India: India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 promotes environmental education, aligning directly with international frameworks that embed climate literacy into regular school syllabi.