GOVERNOR’S SECRETARIAT
ARUNACHAL PRADESH
ITANAGAR

No IPR (PR) 3/2009                                                     Dated Naharlagun Nov 17, 2009

Press Release No-1208

Teach children, the principles with reasoning: Anupama Singh

Itanagar, Nov.  13: The children today believe more on the views of the teachers than their parents, said State’s First Lady Anupama Singh, while gracing the valedictory function as the chief guest of the 2nd B. Ed practical based workshop conducted by Indira Gandhi Open University (IGNOU), Itanagar Regional Centre at Naharlagun on Nov. 13 last. Therefore, it put more responsibilities on the teachers not to impart wrong information and lessons learned from teachers remain with the students throughout their life, she pointed, reports PRO to Governor.

Dwelling on importance of the teacher, Singh said a teacher is not only a teacher but also a friend, philosopher and guide. They are the one, who mould the lives of their wards, through their good efforts and example. The one who can instill good attitude in the students, which will have a lifelong impact.

Singh who is an experienced and trained teacher for disabled children and slow learners herself stressed that children should be taught about the principles and that too with reasoning. While recalling her experience of American School, Algiers, Singh emphasized on importance of education and knowledge through scientific approach rather than getting high percentage of marks by cramming and not understand. Today, as a teacher your approach should be innovating, motivating and facilitating. First and foremost, teach the subject with enthusiasm, making the subject's relevance clear to the students. Know your subject and use a variety of teaching styles, build on family and outside-of-school experiences and involve students as learning   partners. And   most   importantly, make sure that the students know that you care about them, she stressed.

Taking the opportunity of interacting with teachers who are from different interior parts of the State, she urged upon them to teach the children on basic sanitation, basic healthcare, moral values and good conduct along with the regular teaching. Go for plantation in and around school campus and educate them on global warming, deforestation and importance of green environment. Teach them against the use of plastic and its impeding problems. Make them Force Multipliers, activists for green environment and against pollution. Inculcate adventure through eco friendly initiatives. You will be happy to know, to inculcate such spirits, Muskan Society of which I am a President, has organized Hiking expedition and Plantation programme for children.

Large numbers of students participated in them, she added. First lady, who was earlier felicitated with Mishmi shawl stressed on inculcating traditional values and indigenous culture. 

Singh, who later gave away the certificates to the successful completion of the training to the trainees said, I trust that this training will not just be an educational qualification but will instill a true sense of pride in the educationist in you to change our society for better. While referring Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s speech on the National Education Day celebration at New Delhi on 11th November, the first lady hoped that the initiative of the State Education department and IGNOU will provide the correct answers to the call of the Prime Minister for find ways and means of improving the quality of our teachers. Expressing confident on the centre under active guidance of Dr. Neethirajan ji, the Regional Director, she said, I hope this centre will continue to impart such training, such as refresher or orientation courses to in-service teachers in the future and become one of the pioneers in promoting education amongst the youth.

While giving a brief on the aims and objectives of the workshop, D. Suganthi Swarnalata, one of the resource persons informed that the twelve-day workshop was conducted for in-service teachers to instill efficient and effective teaching methods in them. The short duration course aspired to make the teachers, good educators, able
administrators and counselors, she pointed. Programme Coordinator Dr. Reena Tok also spoke on the occasion.

Sharing her experiences during the training programme, Namge Tsoten, a lady teacher from Tawang said, it has enriched us with innovative methods of teaching and now we are taking lots from the training. Through the programme we now understand the real term of being a good teacher. We have learned budgeting, organizing functions and many more activities, which will enable us to inculcate best in our students. Pramod Kumar and Tarangjeet Tiwari also expressed the same view.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Regional Director of the centre Dr. Neethirajan said highlighted on IGNOU programme in the state with focus on Itanagar Regional Centre, Naharlagun. He informed that for the upliftment of the general mass, IGNOU is acting as a nodal agency. It is conducting various entrepreneurship development programmes. In the year 2007, Mushroom cultivation training programme had been conducted by the Regional Centre, 127 candidates have participated in this training programme. Two days awareness campaign on marketing management of Horticulture products was conducted during Dec 2007, 124 farmers from various districts were benefited by this awareness campaign. Entrepreneurship Development Programme on Soy based food products was conducted during April 2008 in collaboration with the School of Agriculture, IGNOU, New Delhi and American Soy society, 140 candidates including farmers, small entrepreneurs, unemployed youths and educated students had participated in this programme. Regional Director further informed that to develop skill among the unemployed youths, entrepreneurship training programme on candle and Agarbathi making was conducted for five days in collaboration with KVIC Doimukh. Fifty five candidates have got benefits by these programmes. Five days training programmes on formulation of Herbal Cosmetics and training on steel fabrication were conducted in collaboration with Rajiv Gandhi Polytechnic, Itanagar. Forty candidates have benefited by these programmes. Women empowerment programme on knitting and embroidery was conducted at Juli village for 10 days in collaboration with Don Bosco Youth centre, Itanagar. 42 women were given training during this programme.  Address of the trainees participated in the EDP and women empowerment programmes were collected and they are encouraged to start their own venture.

Highlighting on the infrastructure, Dr. Neethirajan said as far the infrastructure facilities the RC is equipped with a Tele learning centre, a seminar hall, warehouse and library. Counseling classes for BCA, MCA, CIC and CLP courses are conducted at the tele learning centre of the RC. The practical based workshop I & II of the B.Ed
courses were usually conducted at the RC conference hall. 48 courses are offered through our Regional Centre. Recently MA in education and M.Ed programmes were activated at the programme study centre in Rajiv Gandhi University. Other courses are offered through the study centres activated at the 7 colleges and 6 programme study centres which are activated at DIETs. More than 100 counselors from these conventional
educational institutions are associated with the RC. The Regional Centre and few of our study centres are equipped with the EDUSAT facilities. He added, for quality teaching we offer training to the functionaries. Some of our counselors were sent to attend training
programmes in Shillong, Guwahati, Agarthala and Gangtok, which were conducted by the Head Quarters. Orientation programmes are conducted by the RC in collaboration with STRIDE, IGNOU. Academic counselors and students participate in these orientation programmes, he pointed.

The valedictory programme which started with Guru Vandana by the trainee teachers was followed by welcome song by one of them. A traditional group dance was also presented by them. As act of gratitude, the trainees felicitated the trainers and resources persons on the occasion. One of the resource persons, Dr. V.N. Sharma was also present in the function.
Earlier, the State’s First Lady visited the stalls displaying the IGNOU study materials, teaching apparatus and equipments and photography exhibition portraying glimpses of activities of the centre. She also visited the office complex, including the regional computer laboratory. Later, the First Lady friendly interactions with the trainee teachers and IGNOU faculties.

Sd/- O. TAYENG, APRO