Ronita Torcato

Maharashtra’s School Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse has promised to utilize the knowledge and experience of exemplary teachers. Efforts will be made to create a databank of teachers and make their knowledge and experience available across the state. He also mentioned that the Education Minister, along with Education Department officials, will visit schools in rural and tribal areas of the state at the earliest.

Mr. Bhuse was speaking at a seminar in Mumbai on ‘Quality and Enjoyable Education Methods,’ where he appealed to “everyone to contribute to the success of the education system since students are not just prepared for exams but for life. Education can become a source of joy in their lives.”

The minister assured that the demands of teachers’ organizations “will be considered on priority. Minor issues will be resolved immediately. A meeting of all stakeholders will be held to address issues related to laws and regulations. Regular reviews and seminars will be organized. Organizations should submit their demands in writing to the Department of Education.”

Minister Bhuse observed, “The sacred work teachers are doing to impart knowledge to future generations is unparalleled and fortunate. Although creating a quality and enjoyable education system is challenging, I am confident that it can be implemented successfully with cooperation from all. We will determine a roadmap for the education department by implementing different initiatives for students and teachers.”

The seminar discussed topics like physical facilities in schools, increasing the use of computer systems, regular workshops for principals, increasing non-salary grants, wage hikes for teachers who have received national, state, departmental, and district-level awards, relief for teachers from non-academic work, pension schemes, and the recruitment of art and sports teachers in every school.

Representatives of various teachers’ organizations raised demands such as the implementation of the CBSE pattern, online approval of the secondary teachers pool, timely payment of salaries, and early receipt of contributory grants.

Also present at the program were MLA Jayant Ajgaonkar, Principal Secretary Ranjit Singh Deol, School Education Commissioner Sachindra Pratap Singh, Director of the State Council of Educational Research and Training Rahul Rekhawar, Director of Primary Education Sharad Gosavi, Director of Secondary Education Sampat Suryavanshi, and representatives from primary, secondary, and non-teaching organizations.