Dibrugarh: The British Council has awarded its fully funded scholarship for English language teachers to Lata Barua Hazarika, Headmistress of Graham Bazar Boys’ High School, Dibrugarh.
Hazarika is the only teacher from Assam selected this year for the MA in Applied Linguistics and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) programme through distance learning at the University of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom. Only one other teacher from India has been selected for the programme.
The British Council Scholarship for English Language Teachers India supports teachers and teacher educators who are unable to pursue full-time study in the UK. The scholarship covers the cost of the IELTS examination, tuition fees, living expenses during the UK residential component, airfare, visa charges, and includes a fully funded two-week residential visit to the university.
The programme also provides access to a professional network supported by the British Council, aimed at promoting collaboration and strengthening English language education across India.
Hazarika has over three decades of experience in education. She began her career as a music teacher in 1992, became an assistant teacher in 2006, and has been serving as headmistress since 2016. She is due to retire in February 2026.
Expressing gratitude for the scholarship, Hazarika said she hoped to continue learning and contribute to the community by sharing her knowledge. She also acknowledged the guidance of Luna Saikia, a former British Council scholar, who encouraged her to apply.
Hazarika said she hoped to mentor other teachers in the future, in keeping with the scholarship’s focus on professional development and educational excellence.