Chandigarh, September 5:- Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini made a major announcement on the occasion of Teachers' Day, stating that starting from the upcoming academic session, teachers in higher education, technical education, and technological education will also be honored with the State Teacher Award. Currently, this award is conferred only upon school education teachers.
He stated that encouraging all teachers who contribute significantly to the field of education is a top priority for the government.
The Chief Minister made this announcement while addressing the State Teacher Honor Ceremony held in Panchkula on Saturday as the special guest.
Governor of Haryana Professor Aseem Kumar Ghosh was present as the chief guest, alongside his wife Mitra Ghosh and Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda. On this occasion, Governor Professor Aseem Kumar Ghosh, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, and Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda honored 79 teachers for their outstanding contributions to education. The honored teachers received a shawl, medal, certificate, an award amount of Rs 1 lakh each, and two advance increments.
Extending warm greetings to all teachers on Teachers' Day, the Chief Minister stated that this ceremony is an occasion to express gratitude for their dedication toward education. He noted that today marks the birth anniversary of former President of India Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, an illustrious teacher who dedicated his birthday to teachers, which is why it is celebrated as Teachers' Day. Dr. Radhakrishnan was a great philosopher, an ideal teacher, and an able statesman. The Chief Minister added that in Indian culture, the teacher holds the highest reverence. A teacher recognizes the hidden potential within children; while parents give birth, a teacher shapes a child's personality and prepares them to face life's challenges beyond passing examinations.
Interacting with the awardees, Nayab Singh Saini remarked that every teacher carries a story—bringing a dropout back to the classroom, purchasing a book out of pocket, spending extra time after school with a struggling student, convincing parents to continue their daughter's education, creating science models from local materials, or rescuing a student from a wrong path by sensing their distress. He noted that while teachers received the award on stage today, their true reward was determined the day a child told them, "Teacher, you changed my life."
The Chief Minister stated that times are changing rapidly with Artificial Intelligence, robotics, digital technology, and the internet opening countless doors to information. While machines can deliver information, they cannot impart values, and while AI can draft a lesson, it cannot put a comforting hand on a discouraged child's shoulder to instil confidence—a task only a teacher can fulfill. Hence, the role of a teacher has become even more vital in the tech era. Understanding this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the New National Education Policy to transition education from rote learning toward comprehension, skills, innovation, and Indian values, aiming to build capable, self-reliant, empathetic, and nation-focused citizens.
He highlighted that Haryana is continuously improving its education system under this vision, treating every rupee spent on education as an investment in the state's future. Consequently, the school education budget for the current financial year was increased to Rs 18,538 crore, up from Rs 8,400 crore in 2014-15. To expand quality education, the number of Model Sanskriti Schools reached 218, alongside 251 PM Shri Schools and 250 schools being developed as CM-EEE Schools to provide modern education in both Hindi and English. Additionally, 719 excellent schools were opened near residential areas, and sports grounds are being developed across 3,328 schools with a grant of Rs 1 lakh each, along with one school per district designated as an excellent sports school.
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini stated that innovation, science, and modern technology-based education are being emphasized. Through Atal Tinkering Labs and STEM laboratories, students are introduced to robotics, 3D printing, coding, AI, and augmented reality. The Haryana Mathematics Olympiad was launched to boost interest in mathematics, and students are taking educational exposure visits to prestigious institutions like ISRO and DRDO.
He added that the government launched the 'Kaushal Business Challenge' to transform youth into job creators rather than job seekers, allowing students to develop startup ideas with seed funding of up to Rs 1 lakh provided to 67 selected teams. Furthermore, a School of Excellence in Skill Education is being established, and programs like 'Super-100' and 'Buniyaad' have been strengthened. Super-100 seats were expanded from 400 to 500, with two new residential centers opened. He shared that in 2026, 38 Super-100 students reached IITs, 44 reached NITs, and several cleared NEET to secure MBBS admissions.
He stated that the government is continuously working for teacher welfare, implementing a transparent Teacher Transfer Policy and a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) framework created with expert institutions. Under Nipun Haryana, two training phases have been completed, with plans to train approximately 32,000 PRT teachers next month.
**A Teacher is Not Just a Character Builder But a Guide for Life - Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda
Earlier, Haryana Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda addressed the gathering, stating that Teachers' Day is not merely a formal award distribution ceremony, but an occasion to remember India's great teacher tradition that nurtured the nation's foundation for centuries. Scriptures view a teacher not just as an information provider, but as a builder of character and a guide for life. A great teacher like Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan reaching the highest office of the President is direct proof of the supreme position accorded to teachers in India.
He noted that a decade ago, board exam pass percentages in Haryana hovered around 40 percent, whereas today they are touching a historical 90 percent, driven by extra classes, personalized assistance for weak students, relentless efforts by teachers, and trust built with parents.
The Minister stated that Haryana is setting new benchmarks in education, expanding programs up to Grade 5. Digital assessments for children from Balvatika through Grades 3 and 4 are being conducted via the 'Nipun Haryana Teacher App', and free stationery, uniforms, and bags worth Rs 10 crore have been provided.
He added that a 160-parameter system was implemented to evaluate schools accurately, with dual desks and modern classrooms being set up. A total of 250 CM Shri, PM Shri, and Sanskriti Model Schools are being developed as model institutions.
**Global Opportunities and Skills
To connect students with global opportunities, French and German language courses were introduced in 26 schools. Students visiting ISRO will also be sent on educational tours to France and Germany in the future.
He added that 'Super 100' seats were increased from 400 to 500. Through Mission Buniyaad, 2,238 skill labs, internet connectivity, and smart boards, every child in Haryana is being equipped for the future. The recruitment of 1,200 new PRT teachers in the Mewat cadre has further strengthened the educational framework.
Mayor Shyam Lal Bansal, Principal Secretary of School Education Department Vijay Singh Dahiya, Director General of Secondary Education Jitender Kumar, Deputy Commissioner Satpal Sharma, BJP District President Ajay Mittal, Media Secretary to the Chief Minister Praveen Atrey, senior officials of the Education Department, teachers, and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.