Meet the teacher with a difference

Following in the footsteps of her father, Kusum Lata, a science teacher at the Government Model Senior Secondary School, PAU, joined the teaching profession in 1976.

After completing 32 years in teaching, Kusum Lata is now doing her bit for the society by working with various NGOs

Following in the footsteps of her father, Kusum Lata, a science teacher at the Government Model Senior Secondary School, PAU, joined the teaching profession in 1976. After successfully completing 32 years in the field and receiving a state award for teaching, Kusum is now doing her bit for the society, by working with various NGOs on subjects like environment, science and women issues.

8220;I became a member of Bharat Jan Gyan Vigyan Jattha in 2003. This NGO works for environmental issues,8221; she said.

A year later, Kusum joined various other NGOs like the Punjab Istri Sabha, an NGO working for women issues, Punjab Rural Promotion Council, Bharat Vigyan Samiti and Wigyan Parsar Network WIPNET.

She is not merely associated with these NGOs, but is actively involved with them as well. Whenever these organisations hold seminars, workshops or awareness camps, one can find Kusum there with her paraphernalia of simple but best aids depicting pollution, AIDS and different types of diseases.

When asked about how she manages to take her classes, Kusum said: 8220;I always take my classes on time. Whenever any of these NGOs hold a function, I either take leave or attend the functions after the school gets over.8221;

She added: 8220;All these NGOs are working on issues related to science. Instead of attending social functions, I prefer to participate in the events organised by these NGOs.8221;

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Kusum, a mother-of-two, remains busy in making audio-visual aids for her students even after school hours.

8220;My husband is very cooperative. I spend two to three hours daily in making some new aids for my students as well as for the events of these NGOs. It does not come out to be costly, as these are prepared with waste things like used syringes, shoe polish boxes, shoe boxes and broken plastic plates,8221; she said.

Her aim in life is to establish a laboratory of her own. 8220;My own laboratory, when I have one, will be open for all so that more and more people learn the logics of science,8221; she said.