Raipur,05 September 2024// Governor  Ramen Deka and Chief Minister  Vishnu Deo Sai on Thursday conferred state level honors to the outstanding teachers of the year 2023-24 in a dignified ceremony at Raj Bhavan on the occasion of Teachers’ Day.

Governor  Deka said that teachers should inspire students to dream big and have courage to fulfill it.

The Governor and the Chief Minister congratulated and wished all the respected teachers for the year 2023-2024. A total three teachers were honored with the State Teachers’ Honor Memorial Award and 52 teachers were honored with the State Level Teachers Award in the name of three great litterateurs of the state. On this occasion, the Chief Minister announced the names of 64 teachers selected for the State Teachers’ Honor Year 2024-25.

In a state level function organized in the Darbar Hall of Raj Bhavan, three outstanding teachers including Dr Rashmi Singh Dhurve of Bilaspur district was awarded the Dr Padumlal Punnalal Bakshi Memorial Award,  Rajarshi Pandey of Kabirdham district was awarded the Dr Mukutdhar Pandey Memorial Award and Dr Mrs Sarita Sahu of Durg district was awarded the Dr Baldev Prasad Mishra Memorial Award. Additionally, a total 52 teachers were awarded of different categories including Head Teachers, Lecturer, Lecturer LB, Teacher LB, Assistant Teacher, Assistant Teacher LB category were honored with the State Level Teacher Award.

Governor  Ramen Deka said teachers hold a prominent place in shaping society and development of quality talents. The Governor said that after 75 years of independence, a big change is taking place in the education system of Lord Macaulay, the result of which will also be good.

Governor  Deka said, “Currently, every field is experiencing a revolution, including education. Teachers are at the forefront of this change, with new teaching methods emerging. Alongside these innovations it’s crucial to focus on maintaining educational quality and fostering moral values in students.”

Deka said that parents give birth to a child while teachers shape the personality of that child and provide him a bright future. He said that just as a country’s greatness depends on its people, its citizens are shaped by their teachers. Therefore, the quality of education provided by teachers is crucial. I commend all teachers for their passion, dedication, commitment, and contributions.

Chief Minister  Vishnu Deo Sai said that the enthusiasm for celebrating Teachers’ Day in India is unmatched anywhere else.

“We all celebrate the birth anniversary of former President Bharat Ratna Sarvapalli Dr Radhakrishnan as Teachers’ Day. India has always been rich in terms of excellent education. India gave concept of zero to the world in the field of mathematics, scientists like Aryabhatta and mathematicians like Bhaskaracharya were born in India.” Chemists like Nagarjuna were born in this country. Teachers have always shown a new direction to the country. Even though today knowledge is available at a click in the world of internet, but learning of knowledge full of experience, cultured education, art of living, skills, best style is possible only through teachers in schools, he added.

India’s Prime Minister  Narendra Modi realized importance of innovation and introduced the National Education Policy-2020. This policy has the potential to bring about a radical transformation in our education system, encompassing everything from local knowledge to broader understanding.

Chhattisgarh have also implemented the National Education Policy in the state. “Under the National Education Policy, we have started a total 9438 Balwadiya – preschool and day care in the state. We have started studies in 18 local languages. Hence curriculum have been designed as per these languages.

“As Naxalism’s shadow recedes from education, the light of learning is now spreading rapidly in Bastar. A total 29 schools that had been closed for years have recently reopened,” said  Sai.

Chief Minister  Sai highlighted that the modern era is dominated by AI and robotics and our aim is to upgrade our system for the children of our state. To ensure they are included, we have introduced robotics and AI education in schools for children in tribal areas. Additionally, we are offering interest-free education loans to students from Naxal-affected districts to support their higher education.

“Our maximum focus is on skill development. Even minimal training in small trades can open doors to a brighter future for children. We are developing high-tech schools, with 211 schools recently inaugurated in the state under the PM  Yojana. Additionally, approval has been granted for 52 more schools. Quality education is being prioritized, and our government has also decided to establish hi-tech libraries similar to Nalanda in 13 urban areas,” said  Sai.

On this occasion, School Education Secretary Shri Siddharth Komal Pardeshi read out the report with the welcome address. Director of Public Education Smt. Divya Umesh Mishra conveyed gratitude in her speech. School Education Secretary  Siddharth Komal Pardeshi presented a book as a souvenir to Governor  Deka and Chief Minister  Sai.

Commissioner Public Relations Mr Mayank Shrivastava, Legal Advisor to the Governor Mr Bhishma Prasad Pandey, Managing Director of Samagra Shiksha Mr Sanjeev Jha, Joint Secretary to the Governor Mrs Hina Animesh Netam along with officers of School Education Department, teachers, journalists were present in the program.