Teachers’ Day:LG Manoj Sinha calls for sustainable development, safeguarding ecosystems

Srinagar, Sep 5: Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha on Friday said that the education system must focus on education for sustainable development and promote a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of existence among the young generation.

In his keynote address on the Teachers’ Day at Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), LG Sinha said the balance between economic growth and environment protection was the key for prosperity and social equity.

“Our education system should emphasise that our natural resources are finite and youth need to work on preserving ecosystems and biodiversity and protect the natural resources,” he said.

The LG said that the world was facing escalated natural calamities leading to loss of lives, damage to infrastructure, and impact on society.

“Our educational institutions must work on improving early warning systems and collaborate with the local population for nature-based solutions for disaster and climate resilience,” he said.

LG Sinha paid tributes to the educationist and former President of India, S Radhakrishnan, and felicitated the award-winning teachers from across J&K.

He said that there was a need for teaching climate change as a compulsory subject in the classroom and fieldwork, and asked the Secretary, School Education Department (SED), and Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Higher Education Department (HED), to connect students with a Green Jammu Kashmir Drive programme for field experience along with changes in the curriculum.

“There is a need to revive the age-old tradition of living in harmony with nature. The fury of nature is increasing with the new technologies reshaping industries and social norms,” the LG said.

He said that youth must take on the huge responsibility of creating a balance between nature and development, citing that natural disasters were affecting humanity every day.

“Our educational institutions must work on improving early warning systems and collaborate with the local population for nature-based solutions for disaster and climate resilience,” LG Sinha said.

He said that the world was facing escalated natural calamities leading to loss of lives, damage to infrastructure, and impact on society.

“Our education system must focus on education for sustainable development and promote a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of existence among the young generation,” the LG said.

He asked the teachers to use their experience and wisdom to cultivate life skills, critical thinking, creativity, a scientific temper, and curiosity, and teach students values like teamwork and perseverance.

“My message for students and teachers on this day is that once the pursuit of excellence becomes deeply rooted in your mind, your greatest aspirations and dreams will become reality,” LG Sinha said.

He said that the ultimate goal was to ensure students were fully prepared to face the challenges of life and adapt to the rapid changes in the world.

“A teacher must inspire students to dream big and build their character. Along with science, teach them values and help them develop their unique personalities,” the LG said.

He complimented the efficiency of teachers, saying that they cannot be compared with AI tools because teaching was now not merely about data and information but about experience and wisdom.

“It is only a teacher who can give a live experience of education to children and facilitate experiential learning. Only a teacher has the ability to bring a human touch to the classroom,” LG Sinha said.

He asked the teachers to re-imagine the entire education system as Artificial Intelligence tools, and machine learning has reshaped industries and education in the rapidly evolving world.

“Teachers should not compete with technology; instead, they should focus on how to use it for the benefit of students,” the LG said.

He also asked the SED and HED to include awards for innovation, news ideas, and research in addition to the Gold Medal and Certificate of Merit.

“Remove the word satisfaction from your vocabulary. You must have the hunger to do something new and creative,” LG Sinha urged the youth. “Dream big, believe in yourself, and work hard with focus and determination.”

He also paid homage to the people who lost their lives in the recent natural calamities in J&K.

The LG said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have assured that all efforts would be made for the proper rehabilitation of the affected families.

“The Centre is committed to rebuilding not just the infrastructure but also rebuilding normal life,” he said.

LG Sinha also appreciated SED for honouring the specially-abled teachers and including the language and yoga in the award category.

ACS HED Shantmanu, Secretary SED Ram Niwas Sharma, Director School Education Kashmir Ghulam Nabi Itoo, and Director School Education Jammu Naseem Javaid Chowdhary were also present at the occasion.