SPEECH OF HON’BLE GOVERNOR PUNJAB AND ADMINISTRATOR, UT CHANDIGARH, SHRI BANWARILAL PUROHIT ON THE OCCASION OF FAP NATIONAL AWARD -2022 AT CHANDIGARH UNIVERSITY ON OCTOBER 29, 2022 AT 11.45 AM

It is a pleasure to be at the FAP National Awards 2022 to honour the distinctive contributions of private schools across India. Honour and recognition I believe, would motivate and encourage schools to pursue international quality standards of excellence in education.

FAP National awards constituted by Federation of Private Schools and Associations is an attempt to recognise excellence and quality in school education in the private sector .

a) Last year, the first edition of FAP Awards were constituted in which more than 600 schools from all over Punjab participated.

b) This year, the second edition of FAP Awards has increased its dimension and crossed the boundary of the State. This year, FAP National awards are being given to recognise theschools, the principals and theteachers of the private sector from all over India.

c) A total of 450 awards will be given to in theBest School National Category Award, while273 principals will be awarded in the best Principal Award Category.

d) Schools belonging to private sector plays a critical role in implementing the New Educational Policy, 2022 formulated by Government of India.

Out of the total schools in India, schools in private sector constitute 26 % of the total number of schools all over India . As far as the percentage of schools of private sector in Punjab is concerned, the percentage is more than the national average and is 30%.

e) The contribution of private schools in improving the GER (Gross Enrolment Ratio) is very important and cannot be undermined. As per the all India data,more than 39% of the total 26.5 crore students, who are currently studying in at various levels of schooling are currently studying in the schools of private sector. The private schools of Punjab have enrolment of more than 51% of the total number of students studying at various levels of schooling in the state.

Private schools have to play a major role in order to realise the ambition of achieving the 100% enrolment of the students, so that the gift of education should reach to every child in the country.

f) The private schools also are a major source of employment for the youth in the form of teachers and other staff . Currently, 97 lac teachers are employed in various private schools all over India, which constitute for 41% of the total number of teaching in different schools. The number of teachers employed in the private schools in Punjab are 54% of the total number of teachers teaching in the various schools of Punjab.

g) Therefore, understanding the importance of schools belonging to the private sector, it is important to recognise their contribution in quality education . I must congratulate the Federation of Private Schools and Association for establishing FAP National Awards, which helps in recognising the best schools, teachers and principals all over the country.

Congratulations to the Organisers and the Award Winners.

The contribution of the private sector for promoting the cause of education in the country has been commendable . Many philanthropic trusts have come forward to set up schools, colleges and universities. I am happy to see that some of these institutions attract students even from different countries of the world.

I am also happy to see that the schools, both in the public and the private sectors, lay stress on the inculcation of skills that enable the students to get employed after completing their education.

Today students want the education system to equip and stir their innovative and creative minds. A good system of education should be able to satisfy their insatiable hunger for knowledge.

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam said, and I quote, “Learning gives creativity. Creativity leads to thinking. Thinking provides knowledge. Knowledge makes you great”.

Friends,

Education has been the pivot of India’s development since ancient times . India has been a supporter of knowledge and it was our ancestors who built the world’s best universities and established the largest libraries hundreds of years ago.

A sound education system is the bedrock of an enlightened society. It is the cornerstone on which a progressive, democratic society is built - where rule of law prevails, where there is a high degree of civility and respect for the rights of others as well as our own.

A good education inculcates the habit of tolerance of divergent views and opinions. A good education makes us spiritually calm. It inspires us to use our learning to indulge in healthy debate rather than enter into conflict with those who disagree with us. A good education teaches us to use our learning for the good of mankind – rather than against it. A society can be described as "advanced’’ if its people have learnt to address dissent with understanding and with a desire to achieve harmony.

Since we won our independence, we, in India, have done very well in the fields of science, technology, innovation and economic development. Yet, we find that despite our accomplishments, we cannot claim to have evolved into a truly developed society. Development is not only about factories, dams and roads. Development, to my mind, is about people, their values and their faithfulness to their spiritual and cultural heritage.

As we move forward, it is a holistic education that should play a definitive role in shaping our values. Here, I see a pivotal role for our teachers in schools in re-setting the moral compass. The teachers have to help our youth imbibe the essential civilizational values of love for motherland; performance of duty; compassion for all; tolerance for pluralism; respect for women; honesty in life; self-restraint in conduct, responsibility in action and discipline.

Our educational institutions must have such teachers who can shape the thoughts of the young minds. Through words, actions and deeds, such teachers inspire the students and elevate them to a higher level of performance and thinking. They help to inculcate correct values in their students.

Former President of India and the great educationist of India, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan said and I quote

“Education should be imparted with a view to the type of society that we wish to build . We are working for a modern democracy built on the values of human dignity and equality. These are only ideals: we should make them living forces. Our vision of the future should include these great principles” Unquote.

Education Institutions have a tremendous responsibility towards inculcating in the young minds a sense of values, discipline, dedication and commitment to the nation . A robust and quality-oriented education system is the force multiplier that shall transform India into one of the leading nations of the world.

So, the schools must focus on value based, holistic education that brings out the greatest potential and the highest virtues from each student. Remember, Education without Values is no Education at All.

The world today faces challenges of violence, terrorism, intolerance and environmental degradation. The values of truth, tolerance, integrity, secularism and inclusiveness need to be imparted to our children to make the world a safer and better place to live in.

In the effort for an all-round growth of students, academic institutions must strive to provide the required facilities and encourage students to take up regular physical activity. Students must enthusiastically take up sports or any form of exercise which appeals to them and build a healthy lifestyle.

It is the bane of modern, competitive education that students are often constrained to the four-walls of the classroom in the name of academics. They must experience the world outside – spend time in the lap of nature, interact with all sections of society, and understand various crafts and trades .

Classroom programmes must be ably supplemented with active participation in field activities, social awareness and community service initiatives. There is a dire need to inculcate the spirit of service in students from a young age.

Hope all of you, who are engaged in the mission of nurturing and nourishing the young India will keep this in mind.

I congratulate Dr. Jagjit Singh Dhuri President of FAP for his efforts and idea behind the constitution of FAP Awards.

I also congratulate Sardar Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chancellor Chandigarh University for actively supporting the Federation to host these awards.

Before I conclude, I would like all of you to try to facilitate Education Facilities for the Disabled Students.

Let us work towards enabling all children with disabilities to have access to inclusive education and improve their enrolment, retention and achievement in the general education system.

Removal of architectural barriers in schools having ramps, handrails or the disabled friendly toilets can help the students with disability to have barrier free access to classrooms, laboratories, libraries and toilets in the schools.

Let us keep the inclusive education component in mind and sensitize and train our general school teachers to teach and involve children with special needs in the general classrooms.

Let us join hands for “All for Education and Education for All”.

Leaving nobody behind spirit of the New National Education Policy be borne in mind, as this is the time for ‘Sabka Prayas’ for a developed India.

In the Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal, there is an opportunity for India to get back its ancient prestige and become a great knowledge economy in the world. Let us all strive for it.

I wish the very best to all of you to carry on the honourable task of the Amrit generation for the Amrit Kaal.

Thank you,

Jai Hind.