Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today gave away the Shiksha Ratna Awards on the occasion of Teachers’ Day. A total of 62 awards were given to 13 schools and their teachers.
Highlights of the Chief Minister’s speech:
On the role of teachers:
Teachers are our guardians, who help us grow up.They play a vital role in our growing up – just like turning saplings into big trees.
Education creates society; society builds civilisation, culture, our conscience; growth of our conscience brings about unity, which in turn creates harmony in society.
Teachers are the architects of society – the more education fills up society, the more will the light of knowledge fill up our lives.
Government programmes:
Our Government is working in difficult conditions. This year too we have to pay off a debt of Rs 55,000 crore.
We have worked in a united, dedicated and determined way. I welcome my criticisers and their constructive criticism, which helps us improve our work.
Bangla is the best state in many areas now; I feel proud when Bangla is taken as a model for the country.
It is our pride that the State Government received a top prize from the United Nations for Kanyashree Prakalpa. The Sabooj Sathi and Utkarsh Bangla schemes also won awards from the United Nations.
All girls are covered by Kanyashree Prakalpa now, by which they are encouraged to complete high school and go in for higher studies.
In many schemes, the Centre stops funding after a few years. We are running schemes like ICDS, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Crop Insurance Scheme with funds from our own coffers. The full premium for the Crop Insurance Scheme is paid by us.
No tax has been imposed on the people for using water. Free treatment, rice at Rs 2 per kilo is being provided.
The Reserve Bank is under the control of the Central Government and so the latter can have funds transferred whenever it feels like, which it has done recently.
The Centre mops up a lot of money from the States in the form of tax; the former is supposed to give back to the latter a big amount, but it does not.
In the last eight years, 42 universities and 7,000 primary schools have been set up in Bangla. The Hindi University Bill was passed in the Assembly today.
About 1,800 schools have been made higher secondary schools; 1 lakh school teachers, 6,500 professors and 264 principals were recruited.
The posts of full-time, part-time and guest lecturers in Government-aided colleges have been converted into category 1 and 2 posts.
At all stages of education, students should always respect teachers.
Salary – Category 1: UGC qualification
Working more than 10 years: Rs 30,000 per month
Working less than 10 years: Rs 26,000 per month
Salary – Category 2: UGC qualification
Working more than 10 years: Rs 20,000 per month
Working less than 10 years: Rs 15,000 per month, to increase by 3% every year
Entitlement of a Rs 3-lakh gratuity if worked for more than 3 years.
Many States have abolished pension, we are continuing with it.
Grade pay
Trained graduate teachers: Increased from Rs 26,000 to Rs 36,000 per month
Graduate teachers: Increased from Rs 25,000 to Rs 29,000 per month
Primary school para-teachers: Increased to Rs 10,000
Upper primary school para-teachers: Increased to Rs 13,000
Pension and e-pension given to retired teachers at the beginning of every month
Over 13 lakh school teachers have been trained.
Swasthya Sathi: Government school, college and university teachers included in the scheme.
Child care leave extended to 730 days, till the child turns 18. Paternal-cum-child care leave introduced.
Maximum age of recruitment of college teachers increased from 37 to 40, age of retirement increased from 60 to 65.
Paid leave introduced for college teachers to pursue higher education
Leave travel concession introduced for college teachers for foreign travel.
State Govt continuing Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan using its own funds; Centre owes Bangla Rs 17,000 crore on this account
ASHA workers being paid from State funds since the Centre has stopped paying them
Keep faith in us. We are doing our best for teachers.
It is through teachers that values and humanism are inculcated in society.
Bharat today is not the same Bharat that it was earlier. Teachers need to be aware and remember always that the Constitution, history, traditions, cultures of our country cannot be changed.
Bangla will show the way for India, and in this, the role of teachers is of primary importance.
