Teachers should not be a part of trade unions: CM Yogi

Gorakhpur : Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in his address to teachers, emphasized that educators should not align themselves with trade unions, as it undermines the dignity of their profession. He remarked, “A teacher should not be part of a trade union; doing so diminishes the respect inherent in the role. When you associate with unions, you compromise your dignity.”

The Chief Minister made these remarks while distributing State Awards to outstanding teachers in Basic and Secondary Education on Teachers’ Day during a ceremony held at the Yogiraj Baba Gambhirnath Auditorium on Thursday.

A total of 54 teachers were honored — 41 from the Basic Education Department and 13 from the Secondary Education Department. CM Yogi personally presented the awards, engaging in friendly conversations with each recipient and offering words of encouragement.

In a special gesture, the Chief Minister personally approached Moolchand, a teacher from Aligarh who could not walk due to an injury, to present him with his award. The act was widely appreciated, with many noting that CM Yogi had won the hearts of teachers with this respectful gesture.

During the ceremony, the Chief Minister also addressed the process of submitting grievances, advising teachers to adopt a democratic approach. He suggested that demand letters can be sent through digital means, such as email, directly to the Chief Minister’s Office and the relevant officials.

He assured the teachers that a well-written, issue-based memorandum would be treated as a directive, not a plea, stressing that in today’s era, it is unbecoming for teachers to beg for their rights.

CM Yogi Adityanath highlighted India’s deep-rooted tradition of respecting teachers, noting that our scriptures reflect this reverence through the mantra, ‘Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu’. He also referenced Saint Kabirdas, who placed the Guru above even God with the verse, ‘Guru Govind dou khade’. This respect stems from believing that knowledge cannot be attained without devotion. As the saying goes, ‘Shraddhavan labhate gyaanam’ – knowledge is gained by those who have faith. Without knowledge, one cannot achieve anything in life.

He further emphasized that teachers are highly respected in society, but becoming a devoted and effective teacher requires dedication and hard work.

A degree alone does not make one knowledgeable; rigorous effort and practice are essential. While commitment and practice may be challenging, they yield the best results. The outcomes of work done with such dedication are consistently remarkable. Therefore, teachers should never shy away from hard work and continuous practice. Becoming a teacher is not an overnight process—it requires ongoing effort, and teachers must always seek the simplest ways to impart knowledge to their students.

Praising the exceptional service, innovation, and experience of the teachers honored with the State Teacher Award, CM Yogi shared that he has instructed the Education Department to use the services of these award-winning teachers for the courses and books of SCERT (State Council of Educational Research and Training) and to recognize and honor the expertise of these award-winning educators.

Their experiences will be invaluable in presenting complex topics in an easy-to-understand manner for children.

He also suggested that these teachers be included as representatives in the Education Service Selection Commission, as their involvement in educational innovation will benefit students. This recognition of their expertise is a testament to the value and importance of their work.

He noted that a good teacher can present the introduction and conclusion of a lesson in a way that captures the essence, enabling students to grasp the entire concept. He urged teachers to develop simple rules, formulas, idioms, proverbs, and poems to help students learn more efficiently and encouraged them to explore innovative teaching methods.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the National Education Policy has charted a new course for the nation. In line with this vision, we must follow traditional curricula and foster a culture of innovation. Innovation can take place in every field.”

Citing examples of a young girl from Jhansi growing strawberries on her rooftop during the pandemic and a Barabanki farmer cultivating dragon fruit, the CM highlighted how individual efforts can transform an entire region.

He urged teachers, as the architects of the nation’s future, to prioritize innovation, starting at the school level. Teachers can create clean, beautiful, and green school environments by involving students and parents.

Schools can also cultivate a spiritual atmosphere by including a brief address on quotes from the Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta or Ramcharitmanas during daily prayer sessions, which can leave a lasting positive impact on students.

The Chief Minister also raised concerns about the declining trust in education and teachers. He pointed out that, three decades ago, government inter-colleges were among the best institutions, thanks to the efforts of dedicated teachers, and they attracted many students.

However, student enrollment has decreased today, even as the population grows. This decline is alarming, and teachers must reflect on improving the school environment to attract more students.

CM Yogi encouraged teachers to turn schools into centers of research and development. He stressed that today’s students will become tomorrow’s leaders, whether as progressive farmers, ideal politicians, exemplary teachers, doctors, or advocates. Teachers are responsible for shaping a generation that excels in their respective fields.

He also highlighted the remarkable success of ‘Operation Kayakalp’ in transforming basic education in Uttar Pradesh, which has been recognized as a model by NITI Aayog and other states. The initiative, which improved 1.36 lakh schools across the state, with additional support from CSR efforts, is a testament to what can be achieved through collective effort.

Alongside ‘Operation Kayakalp’, the School Chalo Abhiyan has also delivered excellent results in boosting school attendance and education quality in the state. These initiatives serve as shining examples of what can be achieved when we work together to improve our education system.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the establishment of PM SHRI Vidyalayas and CM Composite Vidyalayas, a monumental step towards enhancing the education sector across the state. These institutions, along with the Atal Residential Schools, which have already been opened in all 18 divisional headquarters, are set to provide free education for the children of laborers and those orphaned by the pandemic.

Furthermore, daycare schools will soon be opened in the remaining 57 districts, furthering the reach of these educational initiatives.

The Chief Minister called on all teachers to align themselves with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of making India a developed nation by 2047. He emphasized that this goal is also enshrined in the National Education Policy, a comprehensive framework that guides our educational initiatives and begins with fulfilling our civic duties. “If we focus on our duties, rights will naturally follow,” CM remarked.

He reiterated that a developed country ensures happiness for all its citizens, and in such a nation, no one will be denied their rights.

CM Yogi also stressed that true charity is not given through begging but through earnings gained from hard work. Teachers, as the architects of the future, are responsible for inspiring society to follow the path of diligence and perseverance. When teachers understand this responsibility, the younger generation will naturally show respect and reverence toward them.

The Chief Minister greeted the state’s people on Teachers’ Day, paying tribute to the country’s second President, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. He described Dr. Radhakrishnan, a Bharat Ratna awardee, as an eminent scholar and philosopher, noting that his birth anniversary is celebrated as Teachers’ Day in recognition of his contributions.

At the State Teacher Award Distribution Ceremony, State Minister for Basic Education (Independent Charge) Sandeep Singh honoured the memory of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and extended his heartfelt wishes to all teachers on the occasion of Teacher’s Day.

He emphasized that the foundation of any nation’s progress lies in its culture and educated citizens. He further stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the state government, along with the education department, is unwavering in its commitment to strengthen and streamline the entire education system, reassuring the audience of the government’s support and dedication.

The minister highlighted that India has become one of the few countries globally that has carved out a special position through the strength of its education system, which is primarily credited to the teachers who shape our children’s future.

He also noted that Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of council schools, students, and teachers, and concerted efforts are being made to safeguard the nation’s future through their collaboration. Minister Singh echoed Prime Minister Modi’s vision of building a Viksit Bharat, stressing the need to advance in line with the National Education Policy. He encouraged teachers to compete with themselves, always striving for better results tomorrow than today.

On this occasion, Minister of State for Secondary Education (Independent Charge) Gulab Devi, Mayor Dr Manglesh Shrivastava, MLAs Fateh Bahadur Singh, Vipin Singh, Mahendrapal Singh, Rajesh Tripathi, Dr Vimlesh Paswan, Pradeep Shukla, MLC and BJP State Vice President Dr Dharmendra Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Secondary Education Deepak Kumar, Principal Secretary Basic Education S. Sundaram etc. were prominently present.

Basic education teachers honored with State Teacher Award
Assistant teacher Kamlesh Kumar Pandey of Ramaipatti, Varanasi, Headmaster Ajay Malik of Nala, Shamli, Headmaster Mool Chand of Suratgarh, Aligarh, Headmaster Rajesh Kumar Verma of Azizpur, Bahraich, Headmaster Ram Narayan Yadav of Middha, Ballia, Assistant Teacher Ajay Kumar Pandey of Jatouliya Basti, Headmaster Dheeraj Singh of Fatupur Bhadohi, Assistant Teacher Mukesh Kumar of Saidipur Mahichand Bijnor, Assistant Teacher Nareshpal Singh of Titaura Bulandshahr, Assistant Teacher Dr. Aditya Narayan Gupta of Deidha Deoria, Kamalkant Paliwal of Padham Pratham Firozabad, Brijendra Kumar Singh of Beshupur Gonda, Headmaster Yatendra Kumar Gupta of Innadih Gorakhpur, Headmaster Rajiv Kumar Singh of Pirojapur Hardoi, Headmaster Vikram Rusia of Churara II Jhansi, Headmaster Dr. of Tilgaudi Kaushambi. Ramnewaz Singh, Assistant Teacher Sunil Kumar Tripathi of Rudwalia Kushinagar, Assistant Teacher Vinay Tamrakar of Simartha Lalitpur, Headmaster Bhupendra Kumar Singh of Girhiya Maharajganj, Assistant Teacher Sachin Shukla of Jaitia Sadullapur Moradabad, Assistant Teacher Ramashankar of Malhupur Pratapgarh and Assistant Teacher Jyoti Prakash Singh of Langdabar Sant Kabir Nagar.

These women teachers of primary education also got the State Teacher Award
Priyanka Gautam, Assistant Teacher of Etmadpur School, Agra, Rekha Rani, Principal of Gajraula, Amroha, Deepshikha Rai, Principal of Barethi, Barabanki, Sarika Saxena, Principal of Pathra, Bareilly, Meena Rai, Assistant Teacher of Chakia, Chandauli, Monika Singh, Assistant Teacher of Malwan Pratham, Fatehpur, Rusi Gupta, Assistant Teacher of Sadatpur, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Archita Singh, Assistant Teacher of Katghara, Ghazipur, Parul Niranjan, Principal of Usri, Kanpur Dehat, Asha Katiyar, Assistant Teacher of Mohaliyapur, Kanpur Nagar, Sangam Verma, Assistant Teacher of Jagsad, Lakhimpur Kheri, Madhu Yadav, Assistant Teacher of Mahmoodpur, Lucknow, Deepti Gupta, Assistant Teacher of Pepla Idrishpur, Meerut, Assistant of Amirti, Mirzapur Teacher Neetu Yadav, Assistant Teacher Reenu Jaiswal of Palpur, Prayagraj, Headmistress Archana Verma of Tigodawa, Siddharthnagar, Headmistress Kausar Jahan Siddiqui of Bisrekhi, Sonbhadra, Dr. Annu Chaudhary of Ganeshpur II Sahanpur and Assistant Teacher Divya Tripathi of Kurebhar I, Sultanpur.

These teachers of secondary education were awarded
In the cadre of secondary schools, Rajesh Kumar Tyagi (Meerut), Dr. Chandramani Singh (Varanasi), Pawan Kumar Tyagi (Amroha), Dr. Subhash Chandra Maurya (Bareilly), Keshav Prasad Singh (Sultanpur), Ravindra Kumar (Lucknow), Rishipal Singh (Amroha), Dr. Preeti Sharma (Bagpat), Dr. Nikhil Jain (Agra), Dr. Ramashankar Pandey (Amethi), Lalman (Chitrakoot) got the State Teacher Award. In contrast, Bhupendra Kumar Singh (Aligarh) and Anil Kumar Mishra (Kanpur) received the Chief Minister Teacher Award for teachers working in unaided schools.