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National Award to teachers

Sir,

The scheme of National Award to teachers was introduced in 1958 with the object of raising the prestige of teachers and giving public recognition to teachers of outstanding merit. Upto 1965 the scheme covered teachers of Primary, Middle, Secondary and Higher Schools only. From 1965, its scope was enlarged to cover teachers of Sanskrit Pathshallas. In 1976 it was further extended to cover Persian/Arabic teachers of Madrassas run on traditional lines. Two awards each have been allotted to teachers of primary and seconday schools of KVs, Navodaya Sainik Schools and Atomic Energy education society.

The number of awards allotted to a State depends upon the strength of the teaching community in that State. Each State, UT is however, entitled to atleast one Award for category of Primary School teachers and one for the Secondary school teachers. The number of Awards at Present throughout the country stands at least 302.

Class room teachers with at least 15 years regular teaching experience or as per the norm fixed by the concerned States Government from time to time are eligible for the awards. Teachers who are teaching upto class 8th should be considered in the category of primary school teachers and those teaching classes 9th to 12th in the category of secondary school teachers. However there is no award for the college teachers.

Normally retired teachers are not eligible for the Award but those teachers who have served a part of the calendar year at least for four months i.e. upto 30th of April in the year to which National Award relates may be considered. Moreover, they have to fulfil all other conditions required under rule for the National Award. The service rendered on re-employment after attaining the age of superannuation will not count as eligible service.

Teachers from the recognised Institutions for the Physically and mentally handicapped are also eligible for the Awards. Provided they fulfil all other prescribed conditions.

Educational Administrators, ZEOs/CEOs and the staff of training colleges are not eligible for these Awards.

Only those teachers having requisite years of teaching experience as mentioned above, on 31st of December of the preceding year of the Award will be eligible for consideration for the Award.

Under the scheme, the school teachers are selected for Award on the basis of their academic efficiency, genuine interest in and love for children, involvement in social life and reputation enjoyed in the local community.

The name of the teachers for these Awards are recommended in the first instance by the Chief Education Officer. On the basis of teacher's record of work, it is further vetted by the Distt. Committee. The recommendations of the committee are scrutinised/examined by the State selection committee which forwards its recommendations in order of merit to the State Government. The State Government in turn sends the same to the Central Govt. alongwith character certificate of faultless antecedents and absolute integrity duly signed by the Education Secretary. The final selection is made by the Central Government as per norms fixed.

Each Award consists of a certificate of merit, silver medal and a cash prize of Rs. ten thousand only.

The list of awardee teachers included in the brochure indicates the depth of teachings, talent, wealth of experience, skill, determination and commitment. These Awards/National Awards are given by the President of India on the eve of Teachers' Day every year. It is hoped that these Awards would inspire our teachers to attain highest standard in their field and use their teaching expertise to nurture the future generations, of India.

Yours etc............
Mohan Lal Sharma
Joint Secretary
All India Awardee
Teachers' Federation
of India
Mohalla Purani Poonch

National Government

Sir,

It refers to demand raised by many M.P.s of different political parties for making term of Lok Sabha fixed for five years irrespective of frequently changing and usually unstable Governments in present era of coalition Governments. But these MPs have failed to suggest about feasibility of a Government when no alliance may be practically possible Lok Sabha can complete its full term only by introduction of National Government where Prime Minister may be elected by absolute majority of Lok Sabha members by secret ballot. Such an elected Prime Minister may be free to select ministers from amongst MPs of any party without asking parties to send their nominees for ministership. However, ministry size must be fixed according to strength of Lok Sabha. A Prime Minister may be voted out of power by two-third votes against him/her in Lok Sabha by secret ballot. No confidence motion may be accepted for voting only on written demand of at least half of Lok Sabha members. Such steps will ensure completion of terms of Lok Sabhas and stability of Governments without political bargains or threats. Party-bossism against smooth functioning of Governments will also be checked. In case a party gets absolute majority in the Lok Sabha, such an elected Prime Minister may if desire, chose all ministers from his/her party only!

Yours etc.....
Subhash Chandra Agrawal,
1775, Kucha Lattushah,
Dariba Delhi-110006.

Universal Religion

Sir,

In this scientific age, the word backward/reservation, recognition of SC, ST, Dalit Christianty appears somewhat inappropriate. It is nothing but to hoodwink the innocent. I really get disturbed when in the name of religion we exploit the weak and poor.

We are fruits of one tree, whether we are from East or West, Black or White. We are children of one God. If we bring such caste fragmentation in our day to day activity, it will definitely blunt our progress and cripple the spontaneity of our children. Let us cast it off from our mind and create such potentials accessible to all irrespective of caste or colour, encourage the deserving to make a society free from knots.

Besides it does not behove to question why he is convert, what made him to adopt christianty and relinquish his own religion.

Annie Besant was a foreign national. She had come to India with some mission. In India, at Calcutta she somehow came in contact with an Englishman who had adopted Hinduism. Annie Besant got some inspiration from the Englishman, read Hindu mythology and gradually laid the foundation of Theosphical society. In short, with every investigation that we undertake leads us not to Church/Temple but to the path of righteousness which is the essence of all religions. Religion is experience and not thought. So it matters a lot, if one by dint of investigation places himself in a conduct to bring good to the society. Opinions always differ. History differs and seldom corroborates with the views of contemporary historians.

Let us preach for a universal religion which is based on morality, humanity and conservation of values.

Yours etc......
P.N. Sus
129, Suri Vihar, Bori
Jammu

Implementation of CCE Scheme

Sir,

In my last letter on December, 18, 1998, I could only highlight the importance and operational drawbacks of the CCE scheme and now I would like to suggest some measures to implement the scheme effectively.

Firstly, the concerned higher authorities including JKBSE and Directorate of School Education should make appropriate arrangements for training of all school teachers. Manuals of CCE scheme should also be made available in Hindi, Urdu and English to all school teachers so that they (teachers) may be able to understand the meaning, concept and objectives of this scheme. Secondly, a time bound calendar showing dates of various tests should be framed in the beginning of every academic session and the same should be made available to each teacher well in time. All the heads of the schools and administrative units should be made responsible to follow and implement the calendar as per norms and directions and the defaulters should be booked as per rules framed in this regard.

Thirdly, the non-scholastic activities and physical education should be included in the syllabi and be made compulsory for all. There should be one PET in each primary school and two to three PETs in each middle and high school respectively and their job should be specified. They should never be assigned with the job of teaching subjects other than physical education. All of the DIETS should be placed under direct administration of school authorities. The present offices of the District Youth Welfare Officers should be converted into Research and Training Centres for physical education. The students should be evaluated formally in non-scholastic and physical education activities through theory and practical tests.

Fourthly, parents participation should also be involved in all schools. At least one parents'-teachers' meeting should be held after each unit test or examination for which appropriate funds should also be provided/created. In this parents'-teachers' meeting progress and weaknesses of the students should be discussed and appropriate remedial measures should also be worked out.

Fifthly, the answer scripts should be evaluated well within time and the same should be returned to the students for their self evaluation and satisfaction. These should be re-collected by the teachers for keeping records after inspection by parents. Subsequently, reasons for poor teaching-learning should be determined and remedial coaching for poor learners be provided. This would make the process of teaching-learning not only more effective, but also more realistic and democratic. The problem of wastage and stagnation may also be reduced to great extent.

And lastly, the administrative authorities should also spare sometime to inspect schools for visualising performance and problems of school teachers. Their inspections should not only be limited upto finding faults and awarding punishment but also to provide proper guidance and support to the teachers. And all these steps would create a pleasant atmosphere in Government schools whereunder majority of our younger generations are under cultivation.

Yours etc.....
O.P. Sharma
Bagnoti (Nowshera)