Mangalore schools urged to fight illiteracy

(September 5, 2009) Officials addressing Teachers’ Day celebrations in Mangalore diocese have urged Catholic schools to join government efforts in fighting illiteracy in the country. The Catholic Education Board of Mangalore diocese organized the Sept.3 program to honor outstanding students, teachers and schools. One of the speakers at the program was T. H. Eranna, Joint Director, College Education Division. He said teachers are “responsible in bringing up the students and to mould them into a better citizen.” Government wants to achieve “100 percent literacy in India,” he said and wanted teachers and schools “join hands with the government to remove the illiteracy from our country.” Mr Channe Gowda, Assistant Director of Public Education Division, said teachers are the light of society. Teachers play “a very important role in preparing the leaders of society,” he said in his address. Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza of Mangalore honoured retired teachers. He lauded the commitment Catholic teachers have shown toward their institutions. “If our institutions and teachers have been recognized by the governments and society, it is because of our dedicated teachers,” he said. He urged teachers to emulate S. Radhakrishnan, India’s second president and a renowned teacher. India celebrates teachers’ day on September 5, on the birth anniversary this academic philosopher.