The Arvind Kejriwal Government is all set to launch a major publicity blitz to highlight President Pranab Mukherjee’s proposed initiative to wear the teacher’s hat for a day by taking a class at the Government school located in the President’s Estate on September 4.
A highly placed source said that the Government has approved Rs1.40 crore advertising budget to highlight the President’s initiative to take a class at the Government school on the eve of the Teachers’ Day. The initiative is part of the Delhi Government’s scheme ‘Be a Teacher’ under which it has invited achievers from the field of arts, science and management to conduct special classes for students of Government schools.
The source said that the Government advertisements would focus on the fact that Mukherjee’s initiative was going to be a historical occasion as this would be the first occasion when the President himself would be taking the class in a Government school.
A senior AAP functionary said that the President’s initiative was in line with the Government’s move to accord top priority to education and health sectors in the national Capital. “That’s precisely why the Government is going to advertise this event all across the city. Even all the 1,000-odd Government schools will be displaying details related to the event.”
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who also holds the education portfolio, had recently stated that he and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had met the President a few days back where they requested him to hold special classes in Government schools. “To commemorate Teachers’ Day, we requested the President to take a class. He happily agreed and will be interacting with students and teachers at Dr Rajendra Prasad Sarvodaya Vidyalaya in President’s Estate 11.30 am to 1 pm on September 4, the eve of Teachers’ Day. The President especially asked to have this session in a classroom. We received his formal consent on Friday.”
last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had hogged the limelight by interacting with students on the occasion of the Teacher’s Day. With Teacher’s Day just a week away, questions are also being raised over the AAP Government’s proposed move of massive publicity campaign.