Check ragging, Prez tells teachers

Wisdom speak: Youth must develop attitude that unites not divides

 
She emphasised that “civilised human behaviour” is vital for a “large, multi-ethnic, multi-religious and pluralistic society likes ours.”

She said “youth, therefore, must develop an attitude that embraces all and which unites rather than divides.”

Intolerance

In her address to teachers who were honoured with National Awards for 2009, the President said: “Ragging in our institutions of higher education is a manifestation of intolerance on the part of senior students towards their juniors who are new to the campus. It must be strongly condemned and should not take place in any institution of the country. You have a role in preventing it.”

The President outlined the role of teachers in an economically transforming society and said in such phases, the anchor is usually found in values such as tolerance, understanding and respect for different opinions.

She said: “In this environment their role has only expanded. They have to interpret the vast information, often guiding children in distinguishing between what is relevant and what is not. This is important so that children are not submerged in a barrage of information, but instead develop an understanding of events and happenings around them by analysing them.”

President Patil also stressed  proper implementation of the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act and appealed to school teachers to ensure attendance of every child.

“The challenge before teachers is to ensure that children actively participate in school activities. They, particularly in rural and distant areas, should hold classes regularly and ask students to attend school everyday. They should remain in contact with parents and pay personal attention to the difficulties that their students may face.”