On the occasion of Teacher's Day 'National Awards' conferred to meritorious teachers. Vice President of India, M. Hamid Ansari, said that in the past decade and a half, India has made impressive strides in universalizing access to primary education. About 300 teachers from all over the country were awarded this year. Each award carried with it a Certificate of Merit, a cash award of Rs.25,000 and a Silver Medal. Ansari said that the time has come now to assess whether formal enrolment has been translated into meaningful educational outcomes.
The Vice President expressed his concern that the question of inequity, and of segregated access to quality, remains a problem. He stressed that since Independence issue of equity has been center of focus in educational planning. Furthermore, issue of access equity and quality are main concerns that need to be addressed in parallel fashion. The same are especially required to be assessed in term of their execution for the poor and the vulnerable at the bottom of the socio-economic pyramid.Ansari also appreciated the awardees for their life-long service to the educational community and hoped that they would become role models for others in this most noble of callings.
