Imbibe technology in teaching methods: President

Calling upon the teachers to imbibe technology in imparting education, President Pranab Mukherjee today said they should instill in children civilisational values of sacrifice, tolerance, pluralism, understanding and compassion.

Greeting the teachers on the occasion of Teachers' Day, Mukherjee, who started his career as a teacher, said this is an occasion when "we recognise the dedicated services of the teachers of our nation".

In a series of messages on twitter, Mukherjee said a sound education system is the bedrock of an enlightened society.

"Inspired teachers are the building blocks of a good education system. An inspired teacher links the individual goals of the students to the societal and national goals," he said in the message.

He said teachers need to imbibe technology and new methodologies to create modern and effective approaches to teaching and learning and extended good wishes to entire teaching community for their dedication and commitment to the great cause of educating country's youth.

Teachers' Day is celebrated on the birth anniversary of second President of the country Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a revered educationist, philosopher and recipient of highest civilian honour of the country Bharat Ratna.

A scholar of comparative religion and proponent of Advaita Vendanata who countered western criticism of Hinduism, Radhakrishnan held the King George fifth Chair of Mental and Moral Science at the University of Calcutta between 1921 and 1932 and was Spalding Professor of Eastern Religion and Ethics at University of Oxford between 1936 and 1952.

He went on to praise the strength of the Indian economy saying it was steady despite eight years of international slowing down of ecomony as he hoped that the country's economy would grow not less than 7.5 per cent in the days to come.

The students also asked some questions to 'Pranab Sir' including if it would be good to hold all elections in the country in one go.

The President said India has "proved the mettle" in successfully implementing political democracy and the Election Commission can "put its mind" in changing the Code of Conduct so that it does not disturb the polls, adding "all participants of the political spectrum" can brainstrom how to tackle this issue.

On being asked what should the country do to improve the economy and its medal tally in the Olympics, the President said India's requirement is to have "growth with equity" and also overall creation of better physical, educational and health infrastructure which are the requirements of a healthy society.

Later, while making a speech to mark the event, the President said the need of the hour was to have "inspired teachers" who can keep the trait of curiosity and that of asking questions alive in children.

"We have to build up scientific temper... We must also inculcate in the minds of teachers the spirit of innovation," he said.

The President also expressed his worry over a recent news item that many school children in Delhi were not able to read their textbooks and sought corrective measures.

During the event, Manish Sisodia, Delhi's Education Minister said his government was working to enhance the confidence of people in government schools so that they can send their children to study in these institutions.