Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NR)
Pic - Dayanand Kukkaje

Mangalore, Dec 27: A three-day national-level workshop for teachers organised by the Akhila Bharatiya Rashtriya Shaikshanika Mahasangha (ABRSM) at Sanghaniketan here began on Wednesday Dec 26.

ABRSM president K Narahari presided over the function.

The topics covered by the workshop are need for unity among teaching fraternity, recent education scenario, teachers’ role in transforming society and other related issues.

Speaking on the occasion NITTE Education Trust president N Vinay Hegde after inaugurating the workshop said that only when the brilliant and the intelligent take up teaching as a profession, there is hope for the education system. Moreover he pointed out that "Unless there are good teachers in basic sciences, especially in mathematics, professional colleges cannot produce bright students."

Highlighting the lacunae in the research field, Hegde stated that no reseach is being done even in the top professional colleges. Teachers should engage themselves in research for the development of education sector, he advised.

Moreover, stressing on the fact that "Rational thinking on education is the need of the hour" he said "The leaders who are not capable of transforming education sector are unfit to rule."

Particularly with regard to the remuneration paid to teachers he said it plays " A major role in increasing the quality of education." According to him teachers of many unaided institutions were paid a salary ranging between 2,500 to 4,500 per month which he equated to that of an attender. However he did clarify that teachers of private schools were paid much better salaries.

With regard to the management of the educational institutions Hegde, declared that they will have to introspect on how they are offering education. He recalled that earlier many people had made sacrifices to improve the educational system in the country.

According to Hegde there should a healthy discussion organized at the national level on whether education can be run as an industry or should it remain under public sector. In this context he rued "But today, education is looked as a business." 

Also speaking on the occasion Manipal University former vice-chancellor Dr B M Hegde who also presented paper on the occasion, highlighted the need to strengthen primary education in the country and said that if it is not done, it will be like "foundation built on dry sand as far as quality in higher education is concerned."

On the occasion Mahasangha organising secretary Mukundarao Kulkarni delivered the keynote address, while ABRSM secretary Mahendra Kumar was the chief guest. Reception committee secretary MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik was also present on the occasion.