ITANAGAR, 5 Sep: Teachers' Day was celebrated across the state with great enthusiasm on Saturday.

In Tawang district, Deputy Commissioner Namgyal Angmo felicitated 62 best-performing teachers from across the district whose students secured 100 per cent results in their respective subjects in the recently declared CBSE Classes 10 and 12 examinations.

The felicitation programme was held at the Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Tawang, as a mark of recognition and appreciation for the dedication, sincerity and contribution of teachers towards improving the academic performance of students in the district.

Addressing the gathering, the DC emphasised that teaching should not be viewed merely as employment involving classroom instruction and imparting knowledge, but as a profound responsibility of shaping an entire generation. She urged the teachers to carry this sense of responsibility with them not only on Teachers' Day but throughout their professional careers.

Acknowledging the sincerity and dedication of teachers serving in far-flung and remote areas of Tawang district despite numerous challenges, the DC expressed her appreciation for their commitment towards the education of children.

DDSE Hridar Phuntsok and GHSS Principal (i/c) T Sumnyam also spoke.

Teachers' Day was celebrated also across schools in Kamle and Upper Subansiri districts on Saturday with enthusiasm and warmth.

Teachers and students exchanged greetings and expressed their appreciation for the bond between educators and learners.

Cultural programmes and other activities were organised at various schools to honour teachers. The occasion also remembered Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan for his significant contribution to education and society.

In Gepen, hundreds of students participated in a march along the national highway, carrying placards and raising slogans dedicated to Teachers' Day.

The march highlighted the importance of teachers in shaping the future of students and society.

Teachers wear black badges in E/Siang

In East Siang, teachers across the district observed Teachers' Day on Friday, wearing black ribbon badges to express solidarity with teachers' organisations raising concerns over the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) requirement for in-service teachers.

The observance followed an appeal by the district executive committee of the Arunachal Teachers' Association (ATA), East Siang district unit. In a circular issued on 4 September, the association urged teachers to participate peacefully and maintain unity and dignity while drawing attention to concerns arising from the recent Supreme Court judgment on TET.

The TET requirement was introduced following the enactment of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, which provides for minimum qualifications for teachers appointed to elementary schools. The issue has now become a matter of concern among several serving teachers, particularly those who entered government service before the TET requirement came into effect.

Speaking during the observance, ATA East Siang district unit general secretary Kalen Komut said that the association's members visited many schools in the district to interact with teachers and understand their concerns.

Komut expressed concern that requiring long-serving teachers to appear for an eligibility examination at this stage could create anxiety within the teaching community. He further said that preparing for an examination while continuing regular teaching responsibilities could divide teachers' attention between job security and classroom duties.

According to him, such a situation could have an indirect impact on the teaching-learning process, particularly in schools that already depend heavily on experienced educators.

At Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Upper Primary School, TGT Mary Tayeng also raised concerns over the uncertainty surrounding the examination. She questioned whether experienced teachers would be required to prepare under the existing syllabus or a revised syllabus, and said that senior teachers could face difficulties in preparing for a competitive examination after many years in service.

She also expressed concern over the possible consequences for schools if serving teachers fail the examination, particularly in terms of the availability of experienced teachers and continuity of classroom teaching.

Similarly, Nasi Darang of Government Secondary School, Mirbuk said teachers already serving in government schools should not necessarily be placed under the same requirement as newly appointed teachers.

The black-badge observance was undertaken in solidarity with the All India Primary Teachers' Association (AIPTA), All India Federation of Teachers' Organisations (AIFTO), the ATA central executive committee, and other teachers' organisations that have raised concerns over the implications of the Supreme Court judgment.

In Papum Pare district, the Education Department honoured 16 teachers on the occasion of Teachers' Day for their dedication and exemplary service to the noble profession.

Those honoured were Jomya Loya, GHSS, Balijan; Tam Tapa, GHSS, Sagalee; Churchill Tana Tara, GHSS Kimin; Bai Bengia, GHSS, Doimukh; Nabam Kamen, GHSS, Doimukh; Ramesh Gollo, GHSS, Balijan; Sudhir Kr Singh, GSS, Mengio; Nabam Nacho, GSS, Nimté; Tame Negi, GUPS, PTC, Banderdewa; Tame Taram, GUPS, Hawa Camp; Narayan Teron, GPS, Chakma-I, Balijan; Tarh Noma, GSS, Mengio; Taw Taram, GRS, Nakar; Tana Tani, GSS, Toru; Tame Robinson, GPS Lichi; and Nyarum Sonari Tacho, GUPS, Emchi.

Addressing the gathering, Doimukh MLA Nabam Vivek described teaching as one of the noblest professions, and said that the success of a teacher should not be measured merely by the academic achievements of students but also by the values, character and sense of responsibility they develop.

He observed that even if a single student emerges as a successful and responsible individual with sound character, it is a significant achievement for the teacher.

Vivek called upon teachers to strive for excellence, dedication and integrity while discharging their duties. He also urged them to actively contribute to the socio-cultural development of society and participate constructively in public and political affairs with the objective of bringing about a positive impact in the community.

Assuring continued support to schools, the MLA said that every possible assistance would be extended for their smooth functioning.

Prof Nani Bath called upon teachers to be sincere to themselves, to the subjects they teach, to their students, and to society. He said that the responsibility of a teacher extends beyond academic instruction and includes attending to the psychological and emotional wellbeing of students and, wherever possible, supporting those facing personal or financial difficulties.

DDSE TT Tara and ATA's Papum Pare district unit president RK Rob also addressed the gathering and highlighted the important role of teachers in strengthening the education system and shaping the future of the younger generation.

Meanwhile, the Arunachal Pradesh Technical Teachers' Association organised voluntary blood donation drives across various technical institutes in Arunachal on the occasion of Teachers' Day.

A total of 97 units of blood were collected.

Students, faculty members and staff from the participating technical institutions came forward to donate blood.

The participating institutes were Rajiv Gandhi Government Polytechnic College, Itanagar, CP Namchoom Government Polytechnic College, Namsai, the Government Polytechnic Colleges in Dirang, Ziro, Pasighat and Roing, and the Government Engineering College, Tezu.

The blood donation camps were conducted in coordination with the concerned zonal general hospitals, district hospitals and the Arunachal Life Saving Foundation. (With inputs from DIPROs and our correspondents)