RAIPUR,CG: Chhattisgarh Governor Ramen Deka said that teachers should inspire students to dream big and have courage to fulfill it.

He along with Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Thursday conferred state level honours to the outstanding teachers of the year 2023-24 in a ceremony at Raj Bhavan on the occasion of Teachers' Day.

A total three teachers were honoured with the State Teachers' Honour Memorial Award and 52 teachers were honored with the State Level Teachers Award in the name of three great litterateurs of the state. The Chief Minister announced the names of 64 teachers selected for the State Teachers’ Award for Year 2024-25.

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 Sarita Sahu of Durg district was awarded the Dr Baldev Prasad Mishra Memorial Award. Additionally, a total 52 teachers were awarded different categories including Head Teachers, Lecturer, Lecturer LB, Teacher LB, Assistant Teacher, Assistant Teacher LB category were honored with the State Level Teacher Award.

Deka said teachers hold a prominent place in shaping society and development of quality talents. He 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.

The Governor 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.

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 the 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 the internet, learning of knowledge full of experience, cultured education, art of living, skills, and the best style is possible only through teachers in schools, he added.

Chhattisgarh has also implemented the National Education Policy in the state. “Under the National Education Policy, we have started a total of 9,438 Balwadiya - preschool and day care in the state. We have started studies in 18 local languages. Hence curriculum has 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 of 29 schools that had been closed for years have recently reopened,” said Sai.

“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 Shri 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.