Awards presented to 8 teachers

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, September 5, 2019: Eight teachers were presented State Teacher’s Award by chief minister N. Biren Singh during the State Level Teacher’s Day Celebration 2019 held at Manipur State Film Development Society, Palace Compound, here on Thursday.

The chief minister presented the awards to Waikhom Ritabai Chanu, Arambam Rajmata Devi, Ayekpam Sangeeta Devi, Aribam Indubala Devi, Longjam Manglembi Devi, Hemam Rajen Singh, Hena Singsit and Mayanglambam Manglem Singh.

What we are today is because of the teachers. The true essence of celebrating Teacher’s Day is to show gratitude, respect and recognition for their selfless sacrifice to nurture the pillars of the nation, Biren said. He appealed the teachers to restrict the influence of unknown people/groups to the students for taking part in agitations/rallies/protests. He maintained that teachers should not encourage their students for agitations as the learning period for students are limited. He said that the government will not hesitate to be at the forefront in dealing with issues which affects the common interest of the state.

Stating that the government is committed to improve government schools and provide quality education to the children, Biren said the present government has initiated ‘School Fagathansi’ and ‘Lairik Tamhanlasi’ mission. This year, government schools have recorded highest pass percentage above 74.6 percent in the Board exam till now. The number of position holders from the government schools is increasing in the last two years. Such result shows the commitment of the government to improve education sector in the state, he added. There are lot of families who cannot afford private schools, that’s why the government is committed to improve the government schools, he added. He maintained that students are under continuous parental and exam pressure so we need to provide more space to foster their creativity and extracurricular activities.

Elaborating the ‘Lairik Tamhanlasi’ mission, he stated that around 1000 drop-out students were readmitted to the government schools till now. Under the School Fagathansi mission, pre-nursery classes will be opened in the identified 60 schools across the state. Hostels, Residential schools etc. would be constructed in various hill areas such as Chingai, Churachandpur, Mao etc, he added. To improve the school infrastructures, a sum of Rs 17.50 crores has been earmarked in the budget, he added. Around 19 transit accommodation for teachers is being constructed in hill areas of the state.

Education minister Th. Radheshyam said teachers play a vital role in nation building and fulfilling the dreams and destiny of the students. He said there is no other noble profession than teaching profession. It is due to the hard work of the teachers that we could see positive change in education sector in the state, he added.