CM heads distribution of appointment letters to 8,800 Vidya Sahayaks

Gandhinagar, 23 August 2013

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today presided over a state-level function at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar to mark the distribution of appointment letters to 8,800 vidya sahayaks (teaching assistants) by his Cabinet colleagues in different districts. The multi-location programme was broadcast live.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Modi said that the State Government has appointed 1.41-lakh vidya sahayaks in the state since 2001 in a most transparent manner, and not a single complaint of irregularity has been reported in either appointments or transfers of these teaching assistants. This in itself is rare feat of sorts, in the wake of widespread corruptions and despondency prevailing all around the country.

He said that 76,000 new classrooms have been added in government schools during the last decade, also providing other infrastructure facilities like computers and broadband connectivity, ensuring qualitative change in the field of education from primary to higher level. All the 32,772 primary schools in the state have been graded to ensure a healthy competition among them to improve. The state has achieved 100 percent enrollment in schools and 2.9 percent dropout rate. A budget of Rs.200-crore has been allocated for hostels for students to pursue higher studies in cities. The number of number of universities has increased from 11 to 40.

Mr. Modi recalled that Gujarat has traversed a long way since the days of deplorable state of education in general and girls education in particular, having now laid a foundation of able human resources for a stronger future.

Congratulating the newly appointed teaching assistants, he charged them to stand up to the society’s expectation from the teachers. The aim should be to impart education without the feel of burden among students.

Principal Education Secretary A.M.Tiwari explained the procedure of appointments and transfers of teachers to ensure transparency and other steps undertaken to ensure qualitative improvement in education, the credit for which should go to the farsighted guidance of the Chief Minister.

Those present on the occasion included Ahmedabad’s Mayor Minakshiben Patel, Ahmedabad District Panchayat President, City Primary Education Committee Chairman Jagdish Bhavsar and other office-bearers, officers of education departments and family members of the teachers.