Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Friday said the government had undertaken far-reaching measures to improve the compensation of teachers.
“Let us pledge to make welfare of teachers the centre of our public policy agenda. It is by working for their well-being that we can return to them a bit of their enormous contributions in shaping the future of our state and society,” the prime minister said in a message on World Teachers Day.
He said the devolution of education to the provinces, under the 18th Amendment, had made more resources available to them by doing away with duplication of functions and providing integrated leadership.
He said the World Teachers Day was observed every year to acknowledge the contributions and services of teachers to the development of society.
“On this day, we not only eulogise the teaching community for their noble role in educating students but also reiterate our resolve to work for the well-being and welfare of teachers.”
He said this year’s motto “Take a stand for teachers” was appropriate and reflected the need for affirmative policy action on part of all the stakeholders, aimed at improving the service conditions and standard of living of the teaching community.
He said education was a sine qua non in determining a nation’s status in the comity of nations and achieving socio-economic development.
The prime minister said the quality of education imparted to students cannot be separated from the role of teachers. Teachers were central to building an educated, tolerant and a moderate society, and a knowledge-based economy.
He said the progress that the international community has made economically as well as technologically represents a befitting tribute to the contributions of teachers in making it happen.
He also said human civilisation would not have come that far without the role played by teachers. They not only educate young generation by equipping them with knowledge but also build their character by infusing in them social, cultural and spiritual values.
The importance a teacher enjoys in Islam can be gauged from a tradition of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) wherein he said: “I have been sent as a teacher.” In fact, all societies and religions hold teachers in high esteem.
He said globalisation, a marked and defining feature of the modern-day world, had presented a new set of challenges as well as opportunities. In the battle of ideas, teachers had a key role to play in preparing young generations to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
Expecting teachers to deliver without being conscious to their problems may be too much to ask for. It is the duty of all concerned to make sure that teachers enjoy the prestige and honour that they rightfully deserve.