Imphal, September 05: Three teachers have been honoured with the State Teachers' Award, 2008 in recognition of their dedication to the service of teaching on the occasion of Teachers' Day celebration organised under the aegis of State Education Department at GM Hall here today.

Schools and Higher Secondaries which produced toppers in the class X and XII examination conducted by Board of Secondary Education, Manipur and Council of Higher Secondary Education, Manipur respectively this year were also felicitated.

Teachers' Day is being celebrated on September 5 every year in commemoration of the birth anniversary of Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan who was an educationist from 1962 to 1978 and went on to become the second President of India.

Presided over by Education Minister L Jayantakumar, the function was attended by MLA of Thongju A/C Bijoy Koijam as chief guest and Commissioner of Education (S) Shambhu Singh as guest of honour.

Presentation of State Teachers Award, 2008 and offering of floral tributes to Dr Radhakrishnan were the main highlights of the function.

The three teachers who were honoured with this year's State Teachers Award are Headmaster of Tuiringphaisen Junior High School Kh Binoy Singh, lecturer of Ibotonsana Higher Secondary School Th Chandra Singh and Headmaster of Wabagai Tera Urak High School L Narahari Singh.

While the schools and higher secondaries which were felicitated with awards for producing toppers in the class X and XII examination this year include Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Maram; Rayburn College, Churachandpur; Shree Digambar Jain Mahavir Higher Secondary School, Paona Bazar; Herbert School, Changangei; Human Resource Development Academy, Ghari; Sielmat Christian Higher Secondary School, Churachandpur; Sacred Heart Higher Secondary School, Ukhrul; Chaoyaima Higher Secondary School, Thoubal; St Joseph's School, Sangaiprou; St George High School, Wangkhei; Nirmalabas School, MG Avenue, Imphal; Catholic School, Canchipur; Little Flower School, Kwakeithel; Little Master English School, Samurou, Don Bosco High School, Langjing; Bethel English School, Nambol Chingmang and Don Bosco High School, Chingmeirong.

Speaking as chief guest of the function, MLA Bijoy Koijam categorically observed that the future of Manipur lies in the hands of the teachers as the students who are the hope of the future have been handed over to their care.

However, prevailing situation in Manipur sometimes caused difficulty to teachers, thus giving discouragement to those who are in the noble profession of teaching, he noted.

In his presidential address, Education Minister Jayantakumar described teachers as dispensers of knowledge who have been entrusted with the responsibility of leading the society to the right path of development.

So teachers deserve the highest honour and accolade, he said.

Admitting that the status of the teachers in Manipur is not at par with their counterparts in other States of the country, the Minister pointed out that in accordance to the resolution taken during the recent meeting of the Education Ministers of the North Eastern States steps have been taken up in Manipur to recruit only the suitable candidates to the post of teachers.

Education (S) Commissioner Shambhu Singh, who also spoke as guest of honour of the function, said people should respect the teachers who in turn should dedicate themselves to the development of their students just like their parents.

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