Mumbai: Teachers are backbone of education system for ensuring quality learning environment. Unfortunately, there were 20 lakh vacancies of teachers at various levels from primary schools to Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Expressing concern over this trend, Union Minister for Human Resources Development Mr Prakash Javadekar urged students to consider teaching as an honorable career option, not confining themselves to engineering and medical fields.

Speaking at a function organized in Ruia College yesterday (20 August 2016), Mumbai to facilitate meritorious poor students, Mr Javadekar said that active participation of the society was also essential for ensuring education for all. “You can not entrust the entire responsibility to government alone” he said. The Minister asserted that education is fundamental to bringing social change in the society.

The Minister said the education policy should be contemporary and address the aspirations of the new generations. Shri Javadekar said the government was giving final touches to the New Education Policy which will lay thrust on quality education for all. He welcomed suggestions on the draft education policy, stating that the deadline for comments on the draft has been extended till 15 September  2016.

On this occasion HRD Minister Mr Javadekar handed over financial assistance to meritorious poor students who had scored high marks in SSC examination of Maharashtra Board, fighting against all odds. The minister hailed the initiative of financially supporting deserving poor students was part of ‘MaTa Helpline’ project of Maharashtra Times. The leading Marathi Daily had published individual success stories and invited its readers to come forward and help deserving students. The Minister thanked the readers who had responded with enthusiasm.