40,000 for each student.... every year

“Make 2nd home environment in the schools; do not give such punishment to students which is forbidden by Right to Education Act; create good environment for physically challenged students”. Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Kr. Chamling gave this message to teachers in his address as chief guest at State level Teachers Day celebration held at Chintan Bhawan here on Sunday, September 5.

On the occasion, Chief Minister announced special awards for those teachers who will get awards at National and State level. “For next year”, he said, “those who get National and State award will be given additional Rs.2 lakh and Rs.1 lakh respectively”. He said "Sikkim will be the best State in education sector within ten years”, and urged for teachers’ concentration and contribution in this regard. Every teacher has to be trained within 2015, after which untrained teachers will have to retire, he said.

He reminded Panchayats of their responsibility to develop the schools. “Henceforth, we will have to focus on education as, according to me, we could not progress much in education sector in the past”, Chief Minister said. He appealed to all teachers to “produce human resource” and provide extra knowledge to student because it not enough to remain confined to school books only. “Government has been spending Rs.40.000 for each student every year so teachers has to be serious about it”, he said adding, “teachers have to be satisfied with their job otherwise they could not provide good education to students”.

Mr. R. Telang, Secretary of Human Resource Development Department said there are “40% untrained teachers in the State”. He said, “We have to change education delivery system and teachers should also change their orientation and increase their qualifications”. State Government has a plan to train around 310 teachers within this year, he said.