President urges teachers to prevent ragging in educational institutions

President Pratibha Patil presenting the National Award for Teachers-2009 to Ms Ngurthankhumi Sailo, a school teacher from Mizoram, on the occason of Teachers' Day in New Delhi on September 5, 2010. Union Minister of Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal and Minister of State D. Purandeswari are also seen.

President Pratibha Patil today spoke out against the disturbing trend of ragging in institutions of higher education in the country and called upon teachers to play their role in preventing it.

"I have often said that this practice is not healthy, as it is a manifestation of intolerance on the part of senior students towards their juniors, who are new to the campus," Ms Patil said after presenting the National Teachers' Awards at a function here on Teachers' Day.

"It must be strongly condemned and should not take place in any institution of the country. You have a role in preventing it," she said.

Ms Patil said schools were the basic units of an education system, where children spend the formative years of their lives and where the process of learning begins. She said children were given the opportunity in schools to acquire skills and values necessary for their growth as confident and self-assured adults.

According to her, the coming into force of the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act is a historic milestone, which places greater responsibility on all stakeholders.

"The challenge before teachers is to ensure that children actively participate in school activities. They, particularly in rural and distant areas, should hold classes regularly and ask students to attend school every day. They should remain in contact with parents and pay personal attention to the difficulties that their students may face," she said.

The President said good teaching was a long-term investment in which the fruit was often invisible for a long time.

"The results can be seen only when their students begin to bear the responsibilities of their families, society and the nation," she said.

"Students should be made aware of the many hues of life, and the reality that along with opportunities, there will invariably be obstacles and difficulties. Challenges are a daily occurrence, we should not get intimidated by them, but rather learn to surmount them. As self discipline is that one quality which can help tide over many difficulties, due emphasis must be placed on this aspect," she said.

Ms Patil said that, if the youth were to be utilised for building up a new country and a new society, the beginning must come from the teachers themselves.

"You must not only be a teacher, but more. You must be a facilitator, friend, philosopher and guide to those whose lives you mould. I am sure that our teachers, by the dint of their hardwork and their passion, whether in schools in our cities or in our remotest villages, will strive to achieve high levels of professional work. You must constantly upgrade your teaching methodologies so that children get quality education. Use new techniques to make lessons more interactive and effective. Moreover, in-service teachers' training is an important aspect of a good education system. It enables teachers to renew their teaching skills," she said.

Ms Patil said that an appreciation of the diversity that existed in the world invariably broadened horizons and promoted understanding ebtween peoples. She said that, in a globalised world, it was all the more necessary that children understood these linkages, as also the human values of love, respect and tolerance, which are essential for a peaceful world.

"It is, therefore, vital that teachers emphasize the importance of these values, which are a part of our country's ancient civilizational heritage. Students should be made to think in terms of the welfare of humankind and progress of the nation. I am sure all teachers, whether they teach social sciences, environmental studies, science or mathematics, subjects very important in themselves, would also inculcate in their students a sense of pride in our cultural heritage," she said.

The President said that, in an age where there was so much information available in books, on television and myriads of vehicles of electronic transmission, the role of teachers had only expanded.

"They have to interpret the vast information, often guiding children in distinguishing between what is relevant and what is not. This is important so that children are not submerged in a barrage of information, but instead develop an understanding of events and happenings around them by analyzing them," she said.

She said teachers must inculcate in their students the approaches and principles that constitute civilized human behaviour.

"This is crucial today, as our nation is passing through a period of economic transformation. In such phases, the anchor is usually found in values such as tolerance, understanding and respect for different opinions. We are a large, multi-ethnic, multi-religious and pluralistic society. The youth therefore, must develop an attitude that embraces all and which unites rather than divides. They must be responsible citizens. If our teachers do this well, then, along with prosperity, we shall have a society which is caring and compassionate," she added.

Teachers' Day is celebrated on September 5 year on the birth anniversary of former President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.

NNN