Gandhinagar, 24 September 2013

Gujarat Chief Minister Mr. Narendra Modi today while inaugurating “Navchintan Shibir-Teacher Education: Vision and Values” at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar said that the state’s land has become a laboratory in an initiative to produce one of the finest teachers. It has shown a direction for fulfilling the requirement of best teachers in the 21st century. It is a primary responsibility of a nation to create best teachers and the onus of protecting their dignity and creating such environment is on the society, Mr. Modi stressed.

In this one day camp, which was aimed at deliberating on various issues and the capabilities of teacher to principals in empowering the education world, was attended by teachers and officials of different educational institutes from Gujarat and other states.

Other dignitaries who graced the occasion include, UGC vice chairman Mr. H. Devraj, officials of different universities of the state, Mr. Ramesh Oza, Minister of Education Mr. Bhupendrasinh Chudasama and State Education Minister Smt. Vasuben Trivedi.

Addressing the meet Mr. Modi said, “Gujarat has taken an initiative in teacher’s training to produce finest teachers who in turn will play crucial role in empowering the citizens and the society at large in this 21st century. Why should we not dream of producing and fulfilling the requirement of best teachers in the world and establish ourselves a force to reckon with by exporting our finest teachers for the world market?” And, this should become a long term priority for producing best teachers which will empower generations to come, Mr. Modi added.

Mr. Modi said, “Society and the nation will become victim of problems if dignity and pride of teachers are hurt. It should be our joint responsibility to uphold and re-establish their dignity. This will give fresh direction for the society to free itself from intolerance and tension. It is needed that teachers become lively by ever new ideas. When there is a rise in nuclear families it is the conduct of teacher which will inspire the new generations to lead a life.” Mr. Modi expressing confidence, said, “We are moving in a right direction and the experiment of having teacher’s university will provide a long term thought process for the education field.”

Mr. Modi also appealed to the UGC and the Government of India to move in this direction for setting-up of teacher’s university. Gujarat’s teacher university- Indian Institute of Teacher Education was set-up in 2011 and has made its name in the field of teacher’s training.

Giving details on a teacher’s duty towards building a nation, society and an individual, Mr. Modi said, “Those who choose to become teacher after class 12, Gujarat has taken a unique initiative to offer them one of the finest training facilities. For those IITE has become a source of inspiration.”

Mr. Modi said that a teacher could only succeed if he or she strikes an emotional and mental connect with the students. He said, “After formation of Commission for Higher Education in 1948, there was no new initiative. Not only infrastructural facilities but creating finest teachers should also be given equal importance in the education system and its transformation. No such serious steps have been taken in this last 50-60 years in the country and Gujarat has taken a lead in this direction.”

Mr. Modi urged the education fraternity to focus on not only teaching but the process of learning when it comes to building skills among the teachers. He said that in this modern era, the teachers need to build capabilities to answer and bring solution of the curiosities and zeal of their students to know more.

Mr. Modi said, “A mother gives birth but a teacher gives you a life” and a teacher can only develop and sustain ‘value system’ in a democratic nation like us.

Renowned kathakar, Ramesh Oza said that a study has shown that it is the teacher and soldier, who command the highest respect in the society. He said, “It is this society’s acceptance proves that a soldier’s ‘arms’ (shastra) and teacher’s ‘books’ (shaastra) both showcases the protection of nation and cultural importance for the human resources.”

Today when instances of suicide are increasing in youths, it is also a challenge before teachers to teach their students to deal with emotions and failures and keeping them stress-free, he added.

Giving details of the achievements in bringing about qualitative changes in education under the guidance of Mr. Modi, Education Minister Bhupendrasinhji Chudasama said that Gujarat’s direction in the education starting from the pre-primary to PhD will show path to the entire nation.

UGC Vice Chairman H. Devraj congratulated the Chief Minister Narendra Modi for his farsighted efforts for taking the profession of teaching to a new height.

I.I.T.E. Vice Chancellor Kamlesh Joshipura said the shibir will provide a platform to deliberate for renewing of education sector on a national level.

Vice Chancellors of the universities of within and outside of Gujarat, Educationalists and invitees and citizens associated with the educational world were also present on this occasion.