Prez calls for raising teacher-student, gross enrolment ratios

New Delhi, Sept 5 (PTI) With teacher-student ratio being
an area of concern, Indian President Pratibha Patil Monday
stressed on the need to improve the figure and favoured an
increase in the gross enrolment ratio which stands at 73 per
cent.
Addressing an award function on Teachers' Day here, she
said with declaration of primary education as a fundamental
right and with increased focus on universalisation of
secondary education, there is greater need for commitment and
performance from all stakeholders to make this possible.
"The gross enrolment ratio at school level is 73 per
cent. We need to increase this figure and also ensure that all
sections of society are part of the knowledge thrust. The
teacher-pupil ratio needs improvement, for which enrolment of
teachers needs to be increased," she said at the national
teachers award function.
The teachers on their part, should fulfil their
responsibilities and be worthy of this respect. They should
teach with all sincerity and devotion and try to be ideal
teachers.
"Teachers posted in villages, generally teach students
whose parents are not very literate and theirs is the first
generation going to school. Teachers should pay highest
attention to their education and be more particular and
punctual," she said at the function.
Stating that children in schools must be introduced to
the world with its history and its dynamics, she said focus
should be laid on developing curriculum which gives students
the understanding of the world.
"Mathematics, science, environment and other subjects are
all very important. Hence, the curriculum has to be crafted in
a manner which gives students an understanding of the world,"
she said.