PANJIM: In an attempt to motivate dedication to teaching and attract new talents to the profession, Goa government has decided to increase from eight to 11 the annual State awards for teachers by including technical and higher education into the category.
Presently, the government awards teachers from primary to higher secondary level in recognition for their immense contribution in the field of education.
Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar announced the modification after conferring State Awards on eight teachers to mark 54th Teachers Day celebrations at Kala Academy, on Tuesday.
The additional three State awards – one for technical education and two for higher education will be conferred on December 19, 2015.
“We are attempting to see the selection of teachers for the additional awards is done within two months so that we can felicitate them on the Liberation Day, this year. From the next year, all 11 awards will be conferred on selected teachers on Teachers’ Day,” Parsekar added.
In another announcement, the government has decided to set up District Institution for Education and Training in South Goa, and to revise the State Council Educational Research and Training.
In his speech at the function attended by students and teachers among others, the chief minister also emphasized the need for imparting quality education and outlined the measures adopted by the State government for the same.
Permissions have been granted for “BSc BEd course at Harmal, Mandrem and BA BEd at Vidyaprobhodini, Porvorim in Bardez,” he said, adding that government is ensuring everything possible to encourage students to take up teaching as their profession.
In a passing remark, Parsekar recalled how he enjoyed teaching after he ‘accidentally’ entered the profession.
As many as 325 primary teachers were recently appointed to teach English in government-run schools. He also mentioned that grants to develop school infrastructure are being granted to equip educational institutions with all the necessary facilities.
Assuring the teaching community that their problems would be addressed, Parsekar revealed that efforts are on to streamline the NOC procedure to filling up of posts of teachers.
Besides teachers, two headmistresses were also felicitated on the occasion. Education Director G P Bhat briefed the gathering about the improvement in the field of education and the recent regularization of services of vocational teachers.
The Teachers’ Day celebration on September 5 and other State government functions were postponed after the death of ex-chief minister Wilfred de Souza. The present function was scheduled on Tuesday (International Literacy Day).
