Technology may have ushered in innovative modes, adding value to teaching, but none can be a substitute for a teacher, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has said.
Addressing a meeting to mark Teacher’s Day on Tuesday, Mr. Naidu said, regardless of technology advancements, a teacher’s role in the shaping up of a country remained undisputed.
He called upon members of the fraternity to help his government transform Andhra Pradesh into a knowledge State. “I don’t know how long it will take, but my dream is not unachievable; it’s only a matter of time,” he said, urging the teachers to actively get involved in the exercise.
Stress on quality
A total of 127 teachers were given awards in various categories for their outstanding contribution to the field of education. The Chief Minister admitted that education and health had become costly propositions over the years.
“You can help people with one of them. Dedicate yourself to the cause of quality teaching, which in turn will make government-run schools attractive enough for parents to admit their wards in them,” he said.
“Teaching is a noble profession. You must enhance your knowledge from time to time, as knowledge is the light that helps one see through the darkness of ignorance,” he said.
Technology revolution
Talking about how industrial revolution had speeded up the economy and Information Technology had reduced the world into a global village, he said the Internet of Things had enabled every possible change.
“If we fail to keep pace with the changing times, we would be outdated,” he cautioned.
Recalling how the IT sector was given the much-needed boost in the State during his tenure as the Chief Minister of the combined Andhra Pradesh, he said Hyderabad was turned into Cyberabad and the number of engineering colleges increased manifold.
“Telugu people rule the world today because of their good education, and the credit for their achievements goes to our teachers,” he said, amidst loud applause. He said teachers should acquire knowledge, but stay humble. “India is a young nation,” he reminded, adding that Indians had the mettle to rule the world, unlike the Japanese or the Chinese, who faced demographic setbacks.
He said, to end discrimination against women, his government had brought in reservation for women teachers in schools and colleges in 1996 and distributed bicycles to girl students to enable them to go to school.
Pledge
Mr. Naidu administered a pledge to teachers that they would dedicate themselves to the cause of quality education. HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao, Vijayawada MP Kesineni Nani, MLAs, Krishna ZP chairperson Gadde Anuradha, Special Chief Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Adityanath Das, and Commissioner of the Board of Intermediate Education B. Udayalakshmi were present.
