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| Teachers Must Foster Scientific Temper and Pluralistic Values:Tarigami | |
Srinagar, September 05 (Scoop News)-M.Y. Tarigami, President, Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), J&K, has felicitated the teaching fraternity on the occasion of Teachers’ Day, paying tribute to the teachers for their invaluable contribution in shaping the minds and future of generations.
Teachers’ Day is not merely an occasion to honour individual teachers but also an opportunity to reflect upon the enormous responsibility entrusted to the teaching community in building a just, democratic, scientific and inclusive society. Teachers are the real nation-builders, as they influence not only the academic development of children but also their outlook towards society, fellow citizens and the world at large.
Emphasising the need to strengthen the scientific and rational outlook among younger generations, Tarigami said that education must enable students to question, enquire, reason and distinguish between evidence and superstition. Teachers have a vital role in cultivating scientific temper, critical thinking, curiosity and a spirit of inquiry among students. A modern education system must prepare young minds to meet contemporary challenges through knowledge, reason and innovation rather than prejudice and unscientific beliefs.
Jammu and Kashmir had taken an important lead under the “Naya Kashmir” programme in the post-Independence period by providing universal free education, irrespective of sex, up to the postgraduate level, reflecting the recognition that education is a fundamental instrument of social progress. The objective now must be to ensure free, compulsory, inclusive and quality education for every child, irrespective of caste, colour, creed, religion, region, gender or economic status.
Every child must have equal access to quality education, irrespective of whether they come from a rich or poor family or live in an urban centre or a remote rural area. He expressed concern over the shortage of qualified teaching staff, particularly in rural and far-flung areas, and called for immediate filling up of vacant posts from the primary level to colleges and universities.
He also called for the regularisation of the services of temporary, ad hoc, contractual, part-time and other categories of teachers with full pay scales and all permissible service benefits. The contribution of teachers cannot be valued merely in terms of the temporary nature of their appointments, he said, adding that insecurity and uncertainty among teachers also adversely affect the quality of education.
He further emphasised that India’s strength lies in its pluralistic and diverse character. Teachers, therefore, have a profound responsibility to inculcate respect for diversity, tolerance, fraternity and democratic values among students. Respect for different faiths, languages, cultures, regions and traditions should be an integral part of education. Young minds must be taught that diversity is not a weakness but one of the greatest strengths of the country.
Teachers, whether addressed as Gurus, Ustaads or by any other name, command a position of immense respect in society. Their responsibility goes far beyond imparting lessons from textbooks. They help shape the character, conscience and worldview of future generations. They must therefore guide students towards scientific thinking, constitutional values, social justice, equality, fraternity and respect for the dignity of every human being.
Tarigami said that a strong, peaceful and democratic India can be built only by nurturing generations that are scientifically minded, socially sensitive, democratic in outlook and respectful of pluralism. He called upon the authorities to strengthen public education, adequately fund educational institutions, fill all vacant teaching posts and ensure dignity, security and fair service conditions for the teaching community.
He conveyed his warm greetings to all teachers and expressed the hope that the teaching fraternity would continue to inspire generations towards knowledge, reason, equality, compassion and a commitment to building a just and peaceful society.
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