SHILLONG: The Education Department has urged teachers to co-operate with the State government in making Shillong the educational hub of the North East once again.
“It is time to bring back the lost glory of Shillong which was once known as the educational hub of the North East. Nobody wants to study here anymore because the education system has deteriorated,” said Education Minister Deborah Marak at the 55th Teachers’ Day celebration at U Soso Tham auditorium here on Monday.
Assuring that the State government will jointly work with the teachers to achieve the goal of restoring Shillong to its former position, the minister said the Education Department would be streamlined soon.
Indicating that there is a strong need to revamp the education system and that efforts are on to ameliorate teachers’ welfare, she said, “There is a chronic problem and the department is trying to diagnose it and the medicine will be given in due course of time but it will take time to heal.”
On teachers’ role in creating a better future for the country, Marak said, “We have entered a new era of education where there are challenges and competition use of science, computer and technology has multiplied. The education system has to catch up with the new generation.”
Terming the teaching profession as the ‘mother of all professions’, she said, “A teacher’s mistake will be reflected in the future. Educationists should build the spirit of creativity, entrepreneurship and should be role models.”
Meanwhile, D.P Wahlang, Commissioner and Secretary, Education Department, said, “Teachers should inspire students to live a better life. A good teacher will not only teach but imbibe the spirit of learning to empower and enrich students’ lives.”
Echoing Marak on the need for teachers to stay abreast of new-age system, Wahlang said, “Teachers will have to update their learning skills and innovation is the name of the game and to come up with better teaching levels to set a benchmark for the students to emulate.”
Teachers recognized for their dedication to the cause of improving education in the State were awarded at the event. Altogether there were 13 state awardees from 11 districts and 33 district awardees for 2016.
