Agartala, Sep 6 (IANS) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Sunday said that teachers have a crucial role in shaping society and building a developed and knowledge-based India, and stressed that education should focus on character-building rather than merely preparing students for careers.
Addressing a Teachers’ Day programme in Agartala, the Chief Minister said that it would be possible to build a Viksit Bharat in the future only through the knowledge, guidance and dedication of teachers. “The importance and contribution of teachers in building society is paramount. The teaching profession is a great and proud one. The late President of the country, Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, always felt proud to identify himself as a teacher. The main foundation of his multifaceted career was the great ideals of teaching and education,” said the Chief Minister.
Saha, who also holds the Elementary and Secondary Education portfolios, said this in his address as the chief guest while inaugurating the Celebration of the 65th Teachers’ Day programme at Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhawan here.
The programme was organised by the Higher Education Department. He said that Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s philosophy of life remains a bright guide for the future, while his educational philosophy opened a new horizon for social change. “The current teachers should educate students of the present and future generations in true education by imparting knowledge and guiding them towards excellence. At one time, India was one of the best countries in the world in various fields, including knowledge, science and culture. We need to restore that pride,” he said.
Saha said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goal is to build a knowledge-based India by following the mantra of “Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi”, while emphasising the importance of preserving the country’s rich heritage alongside development. He said that the peak of excellence is open to those who are rich in knowledge and education.
Saha said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the National Education Policy to guide the country’s education system in the right direction. Along with this, the government has also linked technology with education to make learning more effective and accessible, he added.
He said that the real purpose of education is to move people forward on the path of possibilities by overcoming their limitations. The Chief Minister said that education is not merely meant for building a career and that its main purpose is to develop good character and responsible citizens. He said that while expanding the reach of education, efforts should also be made to develop the skills of students and enable them to attain excellence through knowledge.
Students should be imparted quality and meaningful education so that they can contribute to the development and transformation of the country, Saha added.
The Chief Minister noted that real and quality education is the path to prosperity. Quality education should be strengthened at all levels. Saha called for strengthening human resources by providing students with quality education and creating an environment conducive to learning, innovation and overall development.
Higher Education Minister Kishor Barman, Education Department Secretary Dr Milind Ramtek, Vice Chancellor of Tripura National Law University Yogesh Pratap Singh, Vice Chancellor of Maharaja Bir Bikram University Dr Bibhas Deb, and Director of the Indian Institute of Information Technology (Agartala) Abhay Kumar were present at the event.
–IANS
sc/uk
