The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

EDUCATION

Teacher alone can stop erosion of values
Lovleen Bains

Doraha, September 4
The role of a teacher today is that of a friend, philosopher and guide, while his prime responsibility rests in the restoration of the higher values of life among the present generation.

In today’s times, the edifice of faith, trust, fellow-feeling, loyalty, mutual help, fair play, sacrifice, obedience to law, are crumbling rapidly under the weight of materialism and distortion of the real meaning of the word freedom. The role of a teacher, at this critical juncture, then assumes paramount importance as it is the teacher alone who can impart moral education to his pupils.

The youth of today has thrown all scruples to winds. Indiscipline has become its licensed priority. Discipline and restraint hold little significance in the existing scenario where people seem to have lost a sense of perspective. Higher values have become the things of the past. Adherence to higher principles of life cannot be expected out of the young generation unless the teachers stick to those moral values themselves. As Buddha said, “A man should first direct himself in the way he should go. Only then should he instruct others.”

Moral values cannot hold long in a society characterised by self-interest generated by the multiplication of desires. It is for a teacher to prove by a practical example to his students so that spiritual awakening goes hand in hand with intellectual advancement. Moral education needs to be introduced at all levels. Right from the beginning till the completion of formal education, a student should be imparted the basic moral values imbibing which he can face the future life with an honest approach.

A teacher can rebuild the crumbling citadel of spiritualism . The rise of science and technology has not only wasted the spiritual side of our life but also snatched away the finer sensibilities holding considerable thoughts in our hearts. A teacher can build up a balanced personality inside his pupils in which humanistic approach to life is of greater significance rather than the intense competition and a mad rush for materialistic belongings. The spirit of fellowship and human sympathy can be inculcated by the teacher in a steady manner.

We are surviving in a world where relationships do not matter any long. Our cool and calculated approach towards life have made our children so. Devoid of any mutual sharing, they mature into egotistical beings. The erosion of higher values can also be attributed to the loosening of the hold of religion and morality. The keen struggle for existence have left us with no desire to cherish and propagate the higher values of life. Apart from parents, a teacher, whom a student regards his ‘torch-bearer’ can teach him the way of life. The ideal of ‘simple living and high thinking ‘ sadly missing from our lives today, needs to be inculcated at all costs if we wish to save our present and coming generations from spiritual erosion.

No time should be lost in pondering. The reinstatement of these higher values to their proper place can be fulfilled by a right guide. The students must be educated about their rich past and the strong traditional values that bound the humans close to each other. The common struggles, the united efforts and singular goals that inspired our forefathers to stand collectively, should become an example for our youth of the day but the real inspiration behind can only be of a teacher as Horace Manner views. “A teacher who is attempting to teach without inspiring the pupil with a desire to learn is hammering on cold iron.”

So, the teachers on this day, may ponder over the ‘erosion of moral values among pupils and their ‘actual restoration’ which though seems difficult but is in no way impossible.

Primary teachers feel let down
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 4
At a meeting, with representatives of all teacher unions on July 20, Education Minister, Punjab, Harnam Dass Johar, had said that the powers of transfers of teachers’ will be decentralised and would be given to the District Education Officers. A new transfer policy was thus framed, but the teachers are disillusioned and frustrated that though the higher authorities have allowed the DEO’s to transfer teachers for the C&D Grade stations, but the powers of transfers to A&B class stations i.e city schools have been not given to DEO’s

Higher authorities have violated the decision of the Education Minister. It was also decided to waive the condition of three years stay at a station for unmarried girls, couple cases, handicapped persons, military persons, but all these decisions have been ignored also and the teachers have been denied the benefits.

Mr Piara Singh Dhillon, President Government Primary Teachers’ Association, Punjab has urged the Education Minister, Punjab to withdraw the ban imposed on the transfers of the teachers for 15 days and to delegate the powers of transfers of the teachers to District Education Officers as was decided at the meeting of July 20. Mr Dhillon has also disclosed that the transfer of teachers were totally banned last year. Thus the teachers have been denied the benefit of transfers for the last two years.

From Schools & Colleges
Teachers’ Day celebrated

Ludhiana, September 4
Students of Class XI and XII of Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School today celebrated Teachers’ Day. They dressed as teachers and taught junior students.

SDP College

Amid joy students and teachers of SDP College got together and cut a cake to mark Teachers’ Day. The Principal and students shared the moments. The students presented a colourful programme that comprised songs, mimickry and dances.

Sacred Heart School

Students of Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, BRS Nagar, celebrated Teachers’ Day. The celebrations began with the ‘welcome note’ followed by prayers. The prayers was inspiring for all. To begin with, the students greeted their teachers with roses and cards. Some of the highlights of the function are folk dance, western dance and a fun-filled skit. The other events were games, antakshri. The Principal Rev. Sister Sobel too showered her blessings on the teachers.

Guru Nanak Public School

Teachers’ Day was celebrated in Guru Nanak Public School, Sarabha Nagar, in the memory of Dr S. Radhakrishnan. Special prizes were given to mock principal and mock vice-principal. Best administrative staff prize was given to Angad Singh, who acted as discipline in charge.

Each house performed the mono acting, solo songs, Punjabi skit, English skit and choreography on the theme of patriotism. Bhagat Singh House stood first. Results: Over all best house in talent contest — BVS House. II position was bagged by BS House. III position by — RS House. IV position was bagged by — MS House.

GRD Academy

It was a day of fun and frolic at GRD Academy today.

A volleyball match was played between teachers and students. The teachers won it by 27-25 points. But at last the students yielded to the service of sports teacher Gurjeet Singh.

Later an inter-house declamation contest was held among teachers. Ms Printt, Ms Alpna Nehraw, Mr Subhash Kumar won the prizes for Pine House, Teak House and Oak house respectively.

Among students in category A — Manjinder Kaur, Simar, Ajinder Kaur, Naseem, Ishwinder and Khushpreet won the prizes for their role as teacher.

In the category B — Amandeep Salh, Sumit Arora, Amarpal, Namisha won the prizes.

Ramgarhia Girls College

Teachers’ Day was celebrated in Ramgarhia Girls College. To celebrate it in a different way, the teaching and administrative affairs of the college were managed by the students of BAIII and MAII. After the classes, a function was organised in which the chief guest was Mr S.P. Sethi, the District Governor of the Rotary Club. The function started with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the chief guest. He said teachers were the backbone of a nation. Principal Harmit Kaur appreciated the way ‘mock teachers’ had managed the affairs of the college.

Lal Bahadur Shastri School

Teachers’ Day was celebrated in Lal Bahadur Shastri Senior Secondary School. Students paid their respects to teachers. Ms Anshu Sharma conducted the whole programme. The students had put up a colourful cultural programme. Ms Neelam Dawar, guest of honour, was welcomed by the principal.

Sat Paul Mittal School

Sat Paul Mittal School organised a colourful entertainment programme on Teachers’ Day. Children sang Vande Mataram and gave their views and feelings about their teachers. Ankita said a teacher was her dearest friend.

Welcome party for freshers

Students of BNSM College of Technical Education organised a welcome party for freshers on Friday. They held skits, gidha and welcome songs. The chief guest, Ms Kuldip Kaur, retd principal of Master Tara Singh College, stressed the need of discipline and hard work in all walks of life. She also spoke of the importance of Guru Granth Sahib and its impact on the modern life.

Vanmahotsav at Shanti Tara College

Vanmahotsav was organised at Shanti Tara College here yesterday. Principal Gurjant Singh planted a sapling and rest of the teachers and students followed suit.

Mandi Ahmedgarh

Vanmahotsav was celebrated at various educational institutions of the local town and surrounding villages. Besides planting saplings, the authorities reminded the people of their role in protecting the environment.

Mr Charanjit Singh Ubhi, Executive Officer at the local Municipal Council, emphasised the role of plants in environment. Addressing a gathering at the local Sanatan Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School he said growing more plants was the only alternative to neutralise the affects of ever increasing pollution.

Ms Priyanka Sharma and Mr. Data Ram Sharma, Principal and Director, spoke on the occasion.

Rotary Club

The local unit of the Rotary Club organised a function at Guru Har Krishan Public Senior Secondary School Phallewal. Besides planting saplings, Mr Nem Chand Jain, President, and Mr. Amarjit Singh Sidhu, Director, of the college elaborated on the issue and called up on the various organizations to join hands to protect the environment by growing more trees.

Janmashtami celebrated in schools
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 4
Sanatan Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School celebrated Janmashtmi and Teacher’s Day with great enthusiasm.

The school campus was decorated with garlands and rangoli. Music teacher Sanjiv Sharma and students sang bhajans.

Students from the Primary Wing dressed up as Lord Krishana, Radha, Meera and gopis. They enacted “Raas Leela” on the stage showing different aspects of Lord Krishna’s life. Sarbjeet of 10+2 told the students about the importance of Janmashtami and Krishna’s childhood.

Prasad was distributed among students. Participants were given gifts .

Love Dale Montessori School also organised a function to celebrate Janmashtami. Children presented dances and drama.

Students, dressed up as Radha and Lord Krishna, Vasudev and Yashodhra, danced on songs like “Mein nahin makhan khayo” and “Radha kyon gori mein kyon kala”.

A three-day Janmashtami celebrations started today at Kiddies’ Paradise, Kochar Market, here. Students presented the scene of the birth of Lord Krishna. The scene in which Krishna tries to reach an earthen pot containing butter was highly appreciated.

Children presented dandia. Teachers told tiny tots the importance of Janmashtami.