Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday gave a clarion call to the teachers to play a key role in perpetuating the glorious heritage of the state by making younger generations abreast about it.
Addressing the gathering during a function to commemorate Teacher’s day, the Chief Minister said that the teachers are the nation builders and they should apprise the younger generations about the rich cultural heritage of the state. He said that after 55 years the state government has today started the work of constructing Heritage walkway heading to Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib at Sri Anandpur Sahib. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that teaching is not a profession but it is a mission to enlighten the students adding that being son of a teacher he is well aware of the fact teachers work hard for making the future of the students.
The Chief Minister also said that 3200 government schools have been ravaged in the floods, 19 colleges were ruined, 8500 kilometers and 2500 bridges were also destroyed. He said that five lakh acre crop was destroyed in the floods but Punjabis have displayed exemplary valor to overcome this natural calamity. Bhagwant Singh Mann also lauded the teachers for doing commendable work during the natural catastrophe adding that such examples are very rare in global history.
Congratulating all the teachers who are receiving awards, the Chief Minister said that by honoring our teachers, we have acknowledged their role as nation builders. He said that in earlier times, the word Guru was used for a teacher as it comes from two Sanskrit words “Gu” (darkness) and “Ru” (remover). Thus, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Guru means the one who removes darkness adding that in other words, the duty of a teacher is to illuminate the minds of their students with the light of knowledge.
The Chief Minister said that a teacher molds the blank mind of a student to bring out doctors, engineers, and artists just as a sculptor shapes his masterpieces. He said that today, the state government is honoring 71 teachers under different categories with the State Teacher Award for their outstanding contribution in shaping the destiny of future generations. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he is glad that today, Punjab has world-class trained teachers in its government schools.
The Chief Minister said that 234 principals and education officers have received world-class training in Singapore, 152 head teachers have received advanced coaching at IIM Ahmedabad and 144 primary teachers have undergone special training at Turku University in Finland. He said that the next batch of teachers that will go to Finland for training will be in the month of November adding that it will help to upscale the expertise of the teachers. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that to enable teachers to focus on their primary duties, 1920 campus managers have been appointed adding that to help the children of Punjab soar high and fulfill their dreams, an “Education Revolution” was launched in 2022.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has taken revolutionary steps in the field of education, which are now being discussed across the country. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that 118 Schools of Eminence have been established in the state, on which we have spent Rs 231.74 crore so far. He said that these schools are seen as a remarkable beginning towards a bright future for underprivileged children.
The Chief Minister said that school students are being provided free uniforms, and especially for girls, free school bus services have been introduced so that no girl is deprived of education. He said that these schools are serving as temples of the modern age by lighting up the lives of students and now, even students from private schools are taking admission in these Schools of Eminence, which stands as proof of their success. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that students are being provided coaching for Armed Preparatory Forces, NEET, JEE, CLAT, NIFT, and other competitive exams.
The Chief Minister said that 265 students from Schools of Eminence and other government schools have qualified for the JEE Mains exam. He said that 44 students have cleared JEE Advanced and 848 students have qualified for NEET. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that taking another unique initiative, a School Mentorship Program has been launched under which civil officers are mentoring students of government schools. He said that the state government has also initiated Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs), which have received a great response from parents adding that there are 19,200 government schools in Punjab and a total of 25 lakh parents participated in PTMs.
Earlier, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains welcomed all the dignitaries to the function.
On the occasion Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains, Lok Sabha MP Malwinder Singh Kang and others were also present.
