Stating that for a nation to attain strength, it must prioritise developing its capabilities, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasised that nurturing a refined and ‘cultured education system’ is essential for building a capable society.
“Education serves as a potent instrument for instilling self-discipline, fostering a profound sense of connection and nurturing unwavering dedication in each individual towards the nation’s welfare,” Yogi said.
The chief minister was addressing the inauguration ceremony of Smart Classes and Information and Communication (ICT) labs in 64 block resource centres of 1,086 council schools in Gorakhpur division on Wednesday.
This special occasion also marked the commencement of tablet distribution to 14,360 primary and composite school teachers, the introduction of ‘Wonder Boxes’ to 3,780 co-located Anganwadi centres, and the provision of 1,980 assistive devices to support 1,207 disabled children.
The chief minister stressed the profound impact of education on the character of individuals, society and the nation.
He underlined that teachers possess the potential to rapidly elevate the nation to new heights. Referring to ideal gurus like Guru Vashishtha, Vishwamitra, Sandipani, and Chanakya, the chief minister highlighted their pivotal role in shaping extraordinary figures such as Shri Ram, Shri Krishna and Chandragupta. He urged teachers to take inspiration from these gurus.
The chief minister noted that the most significant accomplishment for a teacher is when they empower their students, making them competent and instilling in them a deep sense of dedication to the nation. He emphasised the importance of self-evaluation for everyone. Failing to assess one’s actions amounts to a betrayal not just to oneself but also to society and the nation.
Referring to the transformation in the Basic Education department over the past six years, Yogi said that the department was continuously evolving and improving. He encouraged healthy competition among teachers through their active participation in various programs. By engaging with all department-related initiatives, teachers could collectively achieve better results.
He urged teachers to evaluate their work regularly, ranging from daily and weekly assessments to fortnightly, monthly, quarterly, half-yearly and annual evaluations. The chief minister suggested that in places where Operation Kayakalp hasn’t yet reached, teachers could seek support from public representatives, village panchayats or former students.
The chief minister emphasised the need for teachers to stay updated with evolving technology in a changing environment. The distribution of tablets is a step in this direction, helping teachers become technologically competent and guide the upcoming generation effectively. “The government is playing its role in this by establishing smart classes, ICT labs and distributing tablets,” Yogi said.
Additionally, the chief minister discussed the issue of encephalitis and the importance of raising awareness about cleanliness among children and their parents. He highlighted that a robust education system should involve continuous research. Keeping this in mind, Anganwadi centres are also being connected with pre-primary.
The chief minister said that teachers could connect various types of schemes of the Central and state governments with the children of the Basic Education Council. He particularly emphasised the importance of linking scholarship programmes and the Kanya Sumangala scheme. He shared that the Kanya Sumangala Yojana, which offered an amount of Rs 15,000 from a daughter’s birth through various stages of her education, would now be increased to Rs 25,000 from the upcoming session.
Yogi urged teachers to perform to leave a lasting legacy, rather than merely passing the time. He encouraged educators to gain a deep understanding of the social, geographical, and economic aspects of their respective areas, as well as the unique attributes, crafts, and heritage of their villages. Gathering data and drawing insights can unveil the untapped potential within the community. In this context, he cited the example of the Terracotta village Aurangabad in Gorakhpur.
Meanwhile, Basic Education Minister Sandeep Singh, extended a warm welcome to the chief minister. The event witnessed the presence of numerous public representatives and government officials.
Prior to taking the stage, the Yogi distributed wheelchairs to the differently-abled (divyang) children, interacted with them and presented them gifts. Earlier, at the programme venue, he interacted with children dressed as iconic characters like Shri Ram, Lakshman, Sita and Hanuman, gifting them chocolates. The chief minister also performed Annaprashan to the young children, offering them love, affection, and blessings, along with toys as gifts.
The chief minister inspected the stalls set up by the Basic Education department at the venue of the programme.
