Himachal Governor honours 32 teachers amid award selection row

Gupta says process followed three channels; primary teachers to be invited for talks

Shimla, September 5

Governor Kavinder Gupta on Saturday honoured 32 teachers from Himachal Pradesh at a state-level Teachers’ Day programme at Lok Bhavan in Shimla, amid questions over the selection of state-level award recipients.

Responding to the concerns, Gupta said the state government had informed him that the selection was conducted through three separate channels. He expressed hope that the selectors had discharged their responsibilities properly.

The Governor also stressed the need to strengthen the younger generation through innovation and skill development under the National Education Policy, saying the teaching community had an important role in achieving this objective.

Paying tribute to former President Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan on his birth anniversary, Gupta congratulated the award recipients and said their recognition would inspire others to contribute to the education sector.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Rohit Thakur said the government was aware of the concerns raised by primary teachers protesting in the state. He said the matter had already been clarified and the government would invite the protesters for talks.

On CBSE-affiliated schools, Thakur said improving the quality of education was a priority for the state government. He said 147 schools in the state had been affiliated with the CBSE and that the move would increase competition and help curb the migration of students from government schools.

Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani and other dignitaries were also present at the programme.