A total of 55 teachers from across State were honoured for their exceptional service during a state-level Teachers’ Day felicitation ceremony held at Raj Bhavan on Thursday. Governor Ramen Deka and Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai presented state-level honours to the outstanding teachers of 2023-24. They congratulated and extended their best wishes to the recipients. Among those honoured on the occasion, three teachers received the State Teacher Memorial Award (Rajya Shikshak Samman Smriti Puraskar). Dr Rashmi Singh Dhurve of Bilaspur bagged Dr Padumlal Punnalal Bakshi Memorial Award, Rajarshi Pandey of Kabirdham Dr Mukutdhar Pandey Memorial Award and Dr Sarita Sahu of Durg Dr Baldev Prasad Mishra Memorial Award. Besides, 52 other teachers, including Headmasters, lecturers, lecturers (LB), Teachers (LB), Assistant Teachers and Assistant Teachers (LB) were honoured with the State Level Teacher Award. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sai also announced the names of 64 teachers selected for the State Teacher Samman for 2024-25. In his address, Governor Deka emphasised that teachers should inspire students to dream big and impart moral values alongwith academic education. He highlighted the transformative changes in the education system and the important role teachers play in developing quality talent. Governor Deka also described teachers as key figures in molding future generations and fostering human welfare.

 

Chief Minister Sai spoke on unique significance of Teachers Day in India, celebrating the birth anniversary of former President Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan. He highlighted India’s rich educational heritage and the National Education Policy-2020, which aims to bring radical changes in education. Sai detailed the implementation of this policy in State, including the establishment of 9,438 balwadis, the introduction of education in 18 local dialects and the reopening of 29 schools in Bastar.

 

He also highlighted initiatives such as teaching robotics and AI, offering interest-free education loans to students of Naxal-affected districts, and developing hi-tech schools and libraries. School Education Secretary Siddharth Komal Pardeshi delivered the welcome speech and presented the report. Director of Public Education Divya Umesh Mishra expressed gratitude. Souvenirs were presented to Governor Deka and Chief Minister Sai. The event was attended by Public Relations Commissioner Mayank Shrivastava, Legal Advisor to the Governor Bhishma Prasad Pandey, Managing Director of Samagra Shiksha Sanjeev Jha, Joint Secretary to the Governor Hina Animesh Netam, along with officers of the School Education Department, teachers and others.