Teachers who do well under testing conditions are unsung heroes, said Principal of Dr TMA Pai College of Education Mahabaleshwara Rao.

Delivering the keynote address at the Educational Conference and Honouring Ceremony organised by the DK District Pre-university College Principals’ Association here on Tuesday, he said that the teachers need extrinsic and intrinsic motivation to perform well in his profession and keep up the spirits, but they are not even paid well by the government.

Speaking on the rising incapability of the teaching lot, he said that most of them do not even know the basics.
Whatever the Guru says was ‘Vedavakya’ for the students at one time. Now they have many other ways of procuring knowledge and hence it is a hard task for the teachers to live up to their expectations. Only hardworking and knowledgeable teachers can demand respect from their students, Mr Rao said and stressed the need for refresher courses to teachers.

Stating that educational institutions should concentrate on quality enhancement and sustenance, he said that the motto of the teachers should be to help the students comprehend better, because only if they can comprehend well, they can learn well.

Flaying the pressure exerted on II PUC students by parents and others, he said that they have ceased to be human beings, but machines, due to the lack of entertainment and extracurricular activities in their life. He advised the students not to neglect language and literature, as you need a good command over them for success. Citing the example of President A P J Abdul Kalam, he said that Kalam is revered not just because he is a good scientist, but also because of his excellent command over language, literature and social issues. He appreciated VTU’s move to include Communication English in the curriculum.  He also appreciated the Tamil Nadu government for stopping the entrance system for medicine and engineering and demanded the same in Karnataka. 

Stressing the need of adolescent education and career guidance in the colleges, he said that adolescent education is not sex education as is prorogated by some people.

It includes way to solve problems that usually the adolescent people face, like hopelessness, helplessness and uselessness.  Speaking of the rising suicide tendency among the adolescent, he said that his generation was emotionally stronger and used to express their feelings in a positive way. He concluded that the youngsters of today need professional and vocational skills along with guidance to develop inter personal relations and empathy.

President of the Association Chandrakala Nandavar delivered the presidential address. Meritorious students of II PUC-2007, heads of institutions with 100 per cent results and retired members were honoured on the occasion.  Vice President of the Association Fr Lawrence D’Souza, Secretary P P Joseph and Joint Secretary Dr Ismail were present on the occasion.

Counsellor from KMC Attavar Dr Elizabeth Daniel and Milagres PU college Correspondent Fr Walter D’Mello were chief guests in the post lunch sessions.