Governor of Goa P S Sreedharan Pillai said that teachers are major stakeholders in the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 as he extended wishes to the teaching community on the occasion of Teachers’ Day, on Sunday (September 5).
“Today our country is in its 75th year of independence and Goa is celebrating its 60th year of liberation. Our country is now on the road to achieving ‘New India’ including self-reliant India. The National Education Policy-2020 which focuses on motivation and implementation of teachers is an instrument to achieve this goal. Teachers are major stakeholders in the implementation of this New Education Policy,” he said.
While commending the teaching community for successfully adopting technology to conduct online classes during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Governor has also urged them to dedicate themselves to achieve the highest standards of professional excellence and steadfastly striving to make the National Education Policy a reality.
Teaching is a noble profession and teachers have traditionally been held in high regard and respect in our society, the governor said.
“This is evident in the concept of ‘Guru’ that characterises the Indian learning system. The Great Saint Kabir has said ‘a teacher is like a potter who removes the stones from the mud while making the pot and at the time taps the pot sometimes hard to give it the appropriate and desired shape’ These wonderful words epitomise the relationship between the teacher and the taught,” he added.
Governor Pillai said that education is not merely about imparting knowledge and skills to the students but in a broader sense, it means moulding the tender minds and hearts into virtuous and positive individuals who can live in harmony with all existence. “The progress and prosperity of the nation is dependent on the education system. Teachers with their knowledge, skill, sense of responsibility and integrity can significantly contribute to this national cause,” he said.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who also holds education portfolio, has too extended his warm and very sincere greetings to the teaching community of Goa.
In his message the CM said that a teacher not only imparts knowledge but also fosters growth in the personality of the students.
“While celebrating Teachers’ Day, we respectfully pay homage to Dr S Radhakrishnan and recall the monumental role played by teachers as builders of the Nation, especially in the trying times of COVID-19 pandemic, where teachers of Goa have been exceptional in adapting to the teaching methods, while ensuring their students face no academic hurdles despite shifts in the teaching systems. Their efforts are truly commendable,” he said while appealing to the teaching community to draw inspiration from the life of Dr Radhakrishnan and discharge their duties with renewed sense of dedication and commitment.
