The Education Department has announced that teachers will be honoured with “Hero Awards” and performance awards on October 05, observed as Salam Teacher Day. Under the initiative, 15 teachers from each tehsil will receive the Hero Award for their outstanding performance in school administration, examinations and sports.
Teachers from primary, middle and high schools have already been shortlisted for the awards, according to the Education Department. Ceremonies to mark Salam Teacher Day are scheduled for October 5, with Members of the National Assembly (MNAs), education officials and assistant commissioners expected to attend as special guests.
The awards will be presented to five primary school teachers, five middle school teachers and five high school teachers. Recipients will receive certificates as well as cash prizes.
Meanwhile, teachers’ associations have announced plans to observe October 5 as a “Black Day” to protest against the proposed privatisation of government schools, rationalisation policies and the abolition of permanent posts for teaching and non-teaching staff. The teachers’ associations have demanded that the Education Department withdraw its policy regarding the privatisation of government schools and revoke the show-cause notices issued to teachers.
The Education Department has established several criteria for selecting Hero Teachers, including teacher attendance, student enrollment and retention, School-Based Assessment (SBA) results and the availability and functionality of basic school facilities. In each tehsil, awards will be presented to five teachers at the primary and elementary levels, three at the higher secondary level, and two teachers for exceptional performance.
At the primary and elementary levels, the awards will be presented to two male teachers, two female teachers and one head teacher. Four key criteria have been established for evaluating teachers at the primary and elementary levels, with each carrying 25% weightage: teacher attendance, student enrollment and retention rates, final SBA results, and the functionality of basic school facilities.
At the higher secondary level, three Hero Teacher awards will be presented to one male teacher, one female teacher and one principal. Outstanding results in Grade 11 and 12 board examinations will serve as the primary criterion for these awards. In addition, one male and one female teacher will receive awards for exceptional performance.
According to the School Education Department, data collected by monitoring and administrative offices will be used to select the Hero Teachers. Award ceremonies will be held across all districts on October 5.