Role of teachers crucial for RTE's success: PM

New Delhi, Sep 5 (PTI) Using the occasion of Teachers'
Day, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today suggested that
the dedication and commitment of teachers would be crucial for
achieving the objectives of the Right to Education Act which
has the potential to transform schools and lives of children.
Interacting with a group of meritorious teachers here,
Singh noted that teachers have a critical role to play in
shaping the future of the country and they should inculcate
progressive and rational attitudes among children maintaining
a balance between tradition and modernity.
He sought to strike a personal chord with the teachers by
pointing out that teaching has always been "close to my heart"
as he had started his career as a teacher.
"The Right to Education legislation that we have enacted
has the potential to transform our schools and the lives of
our children.
"The implementation of this legislation is not just a
matter of providing more resources, it is the dedication and
commitment of our teachers that will ultimately help us to
achieve its goals and objectives," Singh said.
In the coming time, he said, more and more children with
diverse backgrounds will enter the school system. "Your
challenge therefore will be to work towards a democratic
classroom in which all children participate in the learning
processes as equal partners," Singh told the teachers.
Underlining that teachers will need to ensure that the
country's unique cultural heritage is preserved while
preparing the children for global citizenship, he said while
educating children and young adults, "we must maintain a
balance between tradition and modernity."
The Prime Minister, who was interacting with teachers
honoured with this year's National Awards, emphasised the need
for inculcating in children not only high moral values but
also progressive, rational attitudes which enable them to
compete with others in today's globalised world.
Expressing the government's commitment to provide quality
education to all children, he noted that teachers have a very
critical role to play in shaping the future of India as
they inculcate values in children and inspire them to high
ideals of patriotism, communal harmony and commitment to the
cause of social justice.
"It is they who awaken in children the hunger for
knowledge. They have the power to develop in our children the
ability to contribute to our society and the processes of
nation building," Singh said.
"I started my career as a teacher and teaching has
always been very close to my heart. I am, therefore,
especially happy to have this opportunity to meet the
outstanding teachers who are to be honoured today for their
meritorious services and contribution to the cause of school
education," he said.