SAS Nagar, November 17, 2024- Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Sunday presented national awards to 576 teachers of private schools across the country at the conclusion of the two-day fourth FAP National Awards-2024. The event was inaugurated by Chandigarh Administrator and Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria by lighting the lamp.
Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria was the chief guest at this award ceremony organized at Chandigarh University. Apart from him, Federation of Private Schools and Associations of Punjab (FAP) President Jagjit Singh Dhuri, Chandigarh University Senior Director Deepinder Singh Sandhu and Chandigarh University Pro Vice Chancellor Davinder Singh Sidhu were also present. Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Chandigarh University Chancellor Satnam Singh Sandhu had attended the first day of this award ceremony as the chief guest last Saturday.
The 576 awards presented by the Governor included 65 Academic Achievement Awards for Principals, 65 Academic Achievement Awards for Schools, 105 Best Teacher Awards, 14 Lifetime Achievement Awards, 18 Lifetime Principal Awards, 151 MOC Champions, 50 Champions and other Participation Awards, 6 Participation Awards, 51 Social Achievement Awards for Principals, and 51 Social Achievement Awards for Schools.
The aim of these awards is to encourage and recognise the exceptional contribution of top teachers in private schools of the country who have significantly enhanced the quality of school education and uplifted the standard of living of their students in education, sports and extra-curricular activities.
Addressing the teachers who received the national awards, Chandigarh Administrator and Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria said, “In India, the role of education in human development is considered to be crucial. Education in our country is mainly provided by government and private schools. In these, along with government schools, the role of private schools is also very important. Along with government sector, private sector schools have also played an important role in raising the standard of school education in India. There are a total of 27701 government and private schools in Punjab, out of which 7970 are private schools, which is 28 percent. At present, a total of 61,47, 500 students study in government and private schools in Punjab, out of which 28,64, 397 students study in private schools. However, we must also admit that the high fees of private schools are out of reach for all sections. We should try to ensure that quality education reaches every child, be it a government school or a private one.” The Governor further said, “Private schools are an integral part of India’s education system. They prepare students for the future by providing high-quality education. Education is a weapon that contributes to the progress of any country and government and private schools play a strong role in it.”
The Governor of Punjab said, “The last decade has been historic for India under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and many bold decisions are being taken to make the country’s educational institutions globally competitive and provide world-class education to the students. Due to the immense focus on research and innovation under the new education policy implemented by the Modi-led central government, India has made great progress in the Global Innovation Index. In 2014, India was ranked 81st in the Global Innovation Index, which will reach 39th position in 2025.”
He further said, “During this period, the number of patents filed has increased by 31 percent and has touched the mark of 83,000 in 2023. India had reached the fourth position globally in 2023 with 1.3 million academic research publications in the last 5 years. Visionary decisions taken by the government under the leadership of the Prime Minister such as 80 percent reduction in patent application fees for institutions have led to a significant increase in India's ranking in the Global Innovation Index. In 2014, only Rs 79,451 crore was allocated for the education sector, but in 2024-25, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the Central Government has allocated an unprecedented budget of Rs 1,25,600 crore. Which is the highest ever in the history of independent India. Appealing for unity for "Education for all and Education for all", the Governor said that taking a step forward in this direction; Prime Minister Modi announced the opening of more than 700 “Eklavya Schools” in tribal areas across the country on the occasion of National Tribal Pride Day two days ago and also inaugurated 10 schools on this occasion.
He further said, “Let us all move forward together and keep in mind the spirit of the new National Education Policy, because this is the time of ‘Sab de Saath’ for a developed India. He said that only with the hard work and dedication of everyone will our society move towards progress. If the society is strong, the state will be strong and if the state is strong, the country will be strong and education is the power that makes the country strong. We all need to make more efforts together in this direction so that the dream of a developed India of 2047 can be realized.”
FAP President Jagjit Singh Dhuri, while welcoming everyone on behalf of FAP, said, “Currently, more than 6 thousand members are associated with the association. We started this association in 2021. At that time, only state awards were given to teachers. After this, its scope was expanded in 2022 and launched at the national level.
At that time, teachers from more than 20 states participated in it. To honour the teachers, the teachers are selected by the association on the basis of their contribution to education, their projects and the standards of their subject. Today, we have presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to principals and teachers aged 55 to 60, which is a matter of pride for them too, as they have provided quality education to students during their lives. Who are today contributing to the progress of the country in various fields.”