Ahmedabad, Nov 2 (PTI) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Monday presented appointment recommendation letters to 8,169 newly recruited 'vidya sahayaks', including more than 6,000 women.
He said the 'vidya sahayaks', teachers appointed on contract basis, would play an important role in shaping the future of a developed India.
The letters were handed over at a felicitation ceremony organised in Adalaj near Gandhinagar in the presence of state education minister Pradyuman Vaja and the minister of state for education Rivabaa Jadeja.
Patel said the teachers, selected through a transparent, merit-based recruitment process, would have an important role in nurturing children and preparing them to contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat.
He highlighted the selection of more than 6,000 women candidates among the recruits, saying it reflected the growing participation of women in the education sector.
"Initiatives such as Kanya Kelavani Mahotsav and Shala Praveshotsav, launched in Gujarat during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure as chief minister, have developed into a major movement, with positive results now visible," Patel asserted.
Patel said the joy of parents and family members whose children had secured government jobs through their hard work reflected the importance of a transparent recruitment process.
He also said the Education Department was planning to recruit around 10,000 more teachers in the coming period.
Emphasising the responsibility associated with the teaching profession, Patel said teachers held an honoured position in society, as even successful professionals such as doctors, engineers and scientists continued to respect their teachers.
Referring to the influence teachers have on children, he urged the newly appointed teachers to exercise caution while using digital platforms and social media. Their conduct and behaviour, he said, left a lasting impression on young minds.
Education Minister Vaja said the state government had undertaken a recruitment process for around 12,000 'vidya sahayaks' based on merit, transparency and technology to strengthen primary education.
"The recruitment included around 11,000 vacancies for Gujarati-medium Classes 1 to 5 and approximately 987 posts for other mediums," he added.
Referring to the National Education Policy, Vaja stressed the need to focus on foundational literacy, numeracy, skill development and experiential learning rather than rote learning.
He urged the newly recruited teachers to make classrooms more engaging through activities, stories, experiments and technology. He also called on them to maintain regular communication with parents, ensure children's attendance and contribute to nation-building.
