5 Sep ; Thirteen Teachers from different educational institutions all over the State were conferred State Award – 2010 by Smt. Urmila Singh, Governor, Himachal Pradesh, in presence of Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister and Shri Ishwar Dass Dhiman, Education Minister, at an impressive function organized to mark celebration of State Level Teachers’ Day at Raj Bhawan here today.
State Awardees were Shri Rajender Singh, Principal, DIET, Solan, Shri Shyam Lal Saini, Head Master, Government High School, Kainthu, Shimla, Shri Santosh Singh DPE, GSSS (Girls) Arki, Solan, Shri Narender Singh, Lecturer Commerce GSSS Rajgarh, Mandi, Shri Pardeep Singh, Lecturer, GSSS (Boys), Una, Smt. Kanta Devi Sharma, Language Teacher, GSSS, Lohara, Una, Shri Dev Raj Patial, Language Teacher, GSSS, Dhaneta, Hamirpur, Shri Anil Kumar, Language Teacher, GSSS, Reckong Peo, Kinnaur, Shri Mahesh Raj, JBT, Government Primary School, Chahri, Mandi, Smt. Devika Rani, JBT, Government Primary School, Kinnu, Una, Shri Pritam Chand, Head Teacher (JBT) Government Primary School, Harchakian, Kangra, Shri Shyam Lal, JBT, Government Primary School, Sihra, Bilaspur and Shri Balwan Singh, JBT, Government Primary School, Hadwal, Kangra, who were presented a shawl, a cap, Silver Medal, Citation, pack of books and a cash award of Rs. 40,000 each. Smt. Kamlesh Chandel, JBT, Government Primary Centre School Chandpur, Bilaspur and Shri Sohan Lal Sharma, Drawing Teacher, GSSS, Kothipura, Bilaspur, National Awardees of year 2009 were also honoured with a shawl, a cap, citation, pack of books and a cash prize of Rs. 60,000 each.
Addressing the State Level Function, Smt. Urmila Singh, Governor, underlined the need for women empowerment though educational curriculum and positive approach by the teachers and guardians. She said that despite the equal constitutional rights granted to women, various programmes launched for their upliftment and facilities available to them, much was yet to be done by bringing about revolutionary changes in the present set up to empower women by bringing about uniformity in the social attitude and educational institutions where education could play pivotal role. She said that teachers needed to be sensitive towards all the sections of the society to make the teaching and learning system fruitful. She said that culture of the educational institutions had to be such which could enhance the dignity of the students at par with their teachers there by creating such an atmosphere which could boost the capabilities of learning amongst the students. She said that teachers and pupils were a major part of the society. She underlined the need for change in the educational curriculum which could ensure overall development of the students through value based education, character building to uphold the rich culture, traditions and values of the society to grow as responsible citizens of the country.
Governor advised the department to explore possibilities of organizing such State Level Functions in different parts of the State for larger participation by the teaching and student community of the State.
Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, who presided over the function said that a record Rs. 1,070 crore enhancement had been made in the education budget
during past three years compared to provisions for the year 2007-08 when budgetary provisions were Rs. 1,497 and now it were Rs. 2,567 crore, which was about 18 percent of the total budgetary provisions, compared to only 2.86 percent being spent by the Government of India on this vital sector. He said that State had emerged a leader in education sector in the country where 100 percent enrolment of the school going children had been ensured with zero drop out rate. He said that State had the highest percentage of 17 of college going students compared to 11 percent at the national level which speak of the quality education infrastructure state had created in recent past.
Chief Minister said that teachers were instrumental in shaping the future of the country by imparting best and value based education to their pupils. He said that only those who sacrifice their comforts and outperform their duties had been role models in the society and were source of inspiration to rest of their community. He said that Himachal Pradesh was poised to emerge an Education Hub in the country and realize the dream of former Prime Minister, Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee who had inspired the State Government to proceed ahead to achieve the objective. He congratulated the award winner teachers and reminded them of their duty of inspiring the society with their deeds after getting the awards.
Shri Ishwar Dass Dhiman, Education Minister, said that infrastructure building budgetary provisions had been enhanced by 142 percent for current financial year to ensure quality educational facilities to the students at their door steps. He said that the teachers who were selected for awards had performed beyond their routine duties and implemented educational reforms more vigorously in their respective educational institutions and worked to deliver the benefit of education to the underprivileged sections of the society as well which had won them State Level Awards. He said that the Teachers Day should not be a ritual but a time to carry introspection by the teaching community whether they had proved themselves in delivering the desired results.
Dr. Shrikant Baldi, Principal Secretary, Education, welcomed the Governor, Chief Minister, Education Minister and Awardee Teachers and hoped that they would inspire the teaching community to work harder to emerge as role models.
Dr. O.P.Sharma, Director of Higher Education, proposed vote of thanks.
Shri Rajesh Sharma, Project Director, SSA, read out the message of HE President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Shri Sumit Khimta, Joint Director of Elementary Education, read out the message of Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India and Shri M.L.Azad, Deputy Director of Education, read out the message of Union Minister of HRD, Shri Kapil Sibbal, to the audience on the occasion.
A variety cultural programme was also organized to mark the State Level Teacher’s Day Celebration and souvenir also released.
Dr. D.S.Manhas, Director General of Police, Smt. Priyajeet Singh, Secretary to the Governor, Shri J.S.Rana, DC, Shri R.M.Sharma, SSP, Shri Rajeev Sharma, Director of Elementary Education, Dr. Dinkar Burathoki, Additional Director of Education, Shri Tarsem Bharti, General Secretary, National BJP SC Morcha, and other prominent people of the town were present on the occasion.