Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau

Chandigarh University hosts 4th FAP National Awards, recognizing outstanding private school teachers for meritorious achievements

Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu highlights private sector’s key Role in India’s Education System at FAP National Awards 2024

Babushahi Bureau

Mohali (Punjab), November 16, 2024: To honour the invaluable contribution made by private schools in elevating the stature of education, sports and culture in the country, Federation of Private Schools and Associations of Punjab (FAP) felicitated 337 private school teachers during the opening day of the 4th FAP National Awards 2024 held at Chandigarh University campus on Saturday.

Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Chancellor of Chandigarh University, Satnam Singh Sandhu presided over the event as the Chief Guest.

The other dignitaries who graced the occasion included Chandigarh University Vice Chancellor Dr Manpreet Singh Manna, President of FAP Dr Jagjit Singh Dhuri and noted Punjabi actor and singer Gurnam Bhullar were also present on the occasion.

On the first day of the two-day-long award ceremony which will conclude on Sunday, the FAP National Awards 2024 were given in four categories including The Best School, The Best Principal, The Best Teacher and The Best School Co-Coordinator for meritorious achievements in the domains of academic, sports, cultural and social contribution.  These included Best Teacher Direct Award Direct 21, Best Teacher Nominated by School (208), Sports Achievement Award Coach (54) and Sports Achievement Award School (54).  

Commending the award recipients for their significant contributions in shaping the minds of the youth, Satnam Singh Sandhu, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Chancellor of Chandigarh University, emphasized the pivotal role of private sector in school education. 

“Of the total 14.89 lakh schools in India, at present about 3.35 lakh are private schools which is 22 per cent of the total schools.  Of the total student enrolment 25.57 crores in schools in India, 8.24 crore students are studying in private schools, which is 32 percent of the total enrolment. Private sector schools are offering 37 per cent teaching jobs in India which accounts for 35.40 lakh teachers. But despite this, the contribution of private schools in India’s transformation in the education sector was ignored and the teachers of private schools were not given due recognition for the crucial role they are playing in providing quality education with utmost dedication and hard work.

A false narrative was created that private school teachers were lesser qualified but FAP has challenged this false narrative by giving due recognition to private school teachers and highlighting it in the society,” he said. 

“As an educationist, I can say that whatever change that has come in the society has come because of teachers and now we are seeing the dream of a realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047. Teachers will play a key role in this.  It is not possible for government to do everything or even fulfil the need of education quality education which is being fulfilled by the private institutions,” the MP added. 

Referring to the problems of pollution and drugs being faced by Punjab, Sandhu said everyone will have to make a contribution for addressing these problems.  

On the transformation of India’s education system under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership during the past 10 years, Sandhu said under the PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme launched in 2022 with a budget of Rs 27,360 Crore, over 14,500 schools were strengthened to create an inclusive and welcoming learning environment for cognitive development and 21st-century skills in students. 

“Initiatives taken by PM Modi in the past 10 years are showing results as the dropout rate in India gone down from 20.2 per cent in 2014 to 5.3 per cent now. The female literacy rate in India has risen from 62 per cent in 2014 to 77 per cent. The total budget for education was only Rs 79,451 Crore in 2014 but in the 2024-25, the Modi government has allocated a budget of Rs 1.25 lakh crore for education which is the highest ever in the history of independent India,” the Rajya Sabha Member added.

FAP President, Jagjit Singh Dhuri said this year, FAP Awards received nomination from 17 States and 3 Union Territories. “Of the over 1243 awards being given in the fourth edition of FAP National Awards 2024, 915 are being given to teachers, principals, sports coaches and school coordinators on the basis of assessment by seasoned academicians.  The awardees include 328 teachers, and 250 principals, sports achievement awards for 50 schools and 50 for best coaches and 168 private schools from various states of India,” he said. 

“Today, as we honor these outstanding educators and students, we recognize their profound influence on the nation's educational landscape. These awards are a source of inspiration, encouraging all educators to pursue excellence in their noble profession. The purpose of these awards is to give due recognition to contribution of teachers and students in the private schools. So every year the Federation of Private Schools and Associations of Punjab comes up with the FAP National Awards to reward private schools across the nation excelling on various parameters. The main objective of FAP National Awards is to promote the sense of pride in the private schools for their achievements in academic, sports and cultural domains to recognize the outstanding performance made by the principals, teachers and the students of the schools and to appreciate the efforts and contribution made by the private schools all over India for providing quality education to the students,” he added. 

The 4th edition of FAP National Awards 2024 will conclude on Sunday with Governor of Punjab, Gulab Chand Kataria, presiding over the award ceremony as the Chief Guest on Sunday.

As many as 455 awards including Academic Achievement Award (School & Principal), Life Time Principal Award, 102 Social Achievement Award (Principal & School), MOC Champion & Maximum Participation Award, Life Time Achievement Award (Teacher) and Best Teacher Award will be given on the concluding day.