Nation is in your hands, President tells preceptors

President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday called for the strengthening of teaching cadres for effective implementation of the Right to Education and the goal of ‘Education for All’ by 2015.

Mr. Mukherjee, who presented the National Awards for 2011 to teachers on Teachers Day, reminded teachers they have a critical role to play in providing education for all.

Strengthening of teaching cadres should be done by well-trained, motivated teachers involved in continuously improving education programmes, fully responsive to the changing needs of students.

Mr. Mukherjee urged teachers to widen the scope of education beyond the confines of classroom-based curriculum. It was necessary to design appropriate learning experiences for students.

“Development of a scientific temperament is essential. Adaptation to and application of new technology has to be an integral part of curriculum development for all stages of education. New methods of teaching must equip the younger generations to learn more, explore more, and contribute more to society,” he said.

“Improve education quality”

Emphasis should also be laid on improving the quality of education. “To build the India of our dreams, the first and foremost task before us is to improve the quality of education. In a nation whose demography is young — both in age and spirit — teachers have the responsibility of providing education which is rich in values and modern in content,” the President said.

He urged teachers to encourage and aid pupils to construct knowledge, to realise their own talents, and to develop their physical and interpersonal skills, cognitive abilities and subject-matter expertise. “Education is the true alchemy that can, in effect, bring India to its next golden age. Our motto should be: All for Knowledge, and Knowledge for All,” he said.

The National Awards to Teachers, 2011, were given away to 310 teachers from across the country. For the first time, 20 additional awards were given away under the category of National ICT Award for School Teachers for 2010 and 2011.