By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net
Bhopal: All is not lost yet. There is hope that a brake can still be put to the ongoing downslide in the moral values in society if good counsel prevails. The society can still be extricated from the morass of degrading values if the new generation, the torch-bearers of the future, are reined-in and right inputs are given to them at right point of time in their formative years before it is too late.
This happened here on Teachers Day when the whole nation salutes the teachers, who mould new generations, and felicitates them for upbringing the future citizens. On this occasion Bharatiya Janata Party ruled Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan realising the damage done to society by the unbridled youth power announced that moral education would be re-introduced in primary schools to inculcate good moral values and positive impressions in students right from tender age. He said that earlier, a moral science book was included in the curriculum, which had been withdrawn for reasons best known to those who did it.
Chouhan was addressing the State Level Teachers Day function after presenting state level awards to eleven teachers The award comprises Rs. 12,500, Shawl, Shrifal (coconut) and citation. He also felicitated 13 teachers who had received the award from the President of India last year.
The Chief Minister announced to double the amount of state level award to Rs. 25,000.
Minister for Education Laxaman Singh Gaud; Minister of State for Education Paras Chandra Jain; chairman of the Board of Secondary Education U.K. Samal; Principal Secretary, School Education I.S. Dani and Commissioner, Public Instructions S.N. Mishra were also present on the occasion.
The Chief Minister stressed the need for ensuring due social respect and dignity to teachers saying that no effort would be spared for this purpose. He said that the Guru-Paad Pujan programme launched from the Teachers Day this year is a significant step in this direction. He said that history has also not been taught in proper perspective as a result of which there is a general lack of patriotism and nationality in the country. He said that life sketches of great personalities would be included in textbooks.
Eugolising the greatness of teacher, Chouhan said that only proper guidance by teachers might groom worthy citizens. Paying his reverence to his primary school teacher Ratan Chand Jain of primary school, Jait, the Chief Minister said that he still has spontaneous feeling of great respect and affection for him. He is a great teacher who taught the pupils with utmost devotion. The moral values inculcated by him in him still guide and govern his life. He said that without Guru Sandipani Krishna would not have become so great. Similar is the case with Guru Vashishta and Rama and Chanakya and Chandragupta Maurya.
The Chief Minister said that concerted efforts are being made to improve the level of education in the state. For this, the government schools are being better equipped. The Shiskhakarmi culture has been eliminated and a new teachers cadre created instead with better service conditions and pay scale.
As many as 1012 lecturers have been promoted to the post of principal. To remove the shortage of teachers fresh recruitments are being made. Computer and other modern educational facilities are being provided in 550 schools.
The practice of opening zero budget school has been done away with. Now 700 new high schools and 150 higher secondary schools providing required budget.
Chouhan said that following efforts for improvement in teaching quality the students of government schools are now making it to the merit lists. He said that a special drive was carried out to admit 29 lakh out-of-school children to schools. This has led to admission of 97 per cent of these children. Now it has been decided to provide scholarships to children of the 72 lakh odd poor workers’ families right from the Ist standard. Free textbooks are being distributed to all children upto middle level and various special facilities are being provided to promote girl education, which include free bi-cycles and uniforms. Under “Gaon Ki Beti” scheme assistance of Rs. 5000 is provided to village girls to help them pursue higher education after passing XII examination in first division.
Chouhan said that efforts are afoot to effect elaborate reforms in education sector. A Guruji Panchayat would be convened as part of the efforts to solve the problems of teachers. The rules and procedures would be simplified wherever necessary. The procedure for granting permission to teachers for further studies would be made simpler. Chouhan hoped that the reforms in education sector are being made keeping in view the requirements of next 25 years.
Presiding over the function, the Minister for Education Laxaman Singh Gaud said that teachers should receive genuine respect from students. For this the teachers should command respect by their good moral conduct.Nothing is sacred than knowledge. The teachers should realizing the importance and sanctity of their duty and behave accordingly.
Minister of State for Education Paras Jain said that teacher is like a potter who gives shape to a lump of clay. He called upon the teachers to discharge their duties and responsibilities with dedication.
Commissioner, Public Instructions S.N. Mishra gave an account of departmental activities. He informed that a separate ward for teachers has been provided in Jawaharlal Nehru Cancer Hospital.
The Chief Minister released a Shikshak Smarika-2007 on the occasion. Mrs. Deepti Agnihotri conducted the function. ([email protected])