Haryana Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Anil Vij said that just as children in ancient Gurukuls were imparted values along with education, schools today must also focus on instilling moral values in students with academics. He said that the education system should be strengthened further in such a way that every child coming out of the system truly becomes an asset to the nation.
Vij was addressing school managements and attendees as the chief guest at the “School Excellence Award” programme organized by an institution in Ambala Cantonment today.
Energy Minister Anil Vij said that he considers teachers to be sculptors. Just as a sculptor shapes clay into a desired form, teachers shape children, prepare them to face future challenges, and impart values to them. He said that as times are changing and new technologies are emerging, schools must also adapt accordingly. Earlier, a potter used to rotate the wheel manually with a stick, whereas today technology and electricity are used. Similarly, with new technologies emerging rapidly, it has become the responsibility of schools to make children proficient in computers and advanced technologies.
He said that now the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has arrived. While some people fear or avoid technology, he believes that society should move forward along with it. If AI has come, then we must understand how it can benefit society, how it can help us progress faster, and how it can assist in solving challenges. Therefore, children should be trained and made proficient in such technologies.
Vij further said that students also need a healthy and positive environment to progress in life. Schools should provide such an atmosphere that children come to school willingly and enthusiastically, rather than being forced. He noted that in earlier times, rote learning was the dominant method of teaching, but today students are being trained through interaction, question-answer sessions, conversations, and innovative teaching methods. He also emphasized that educational devices and methods should be developed through games so that children can learn and grow while playing.
The Energy Minister said that earlier education was imparted in Gurukuls, whereas now modern schools have taken their place. There is a significant difference between a Gurukul and a school, as Gurukuls focused not only on education but also on inculcating values in children. He said that schools today must once again adopt the spirit of Gurukuls. Imparting moral values in schools is equally important as awarding marks and grades. Schools need to take this responsibility seriously, as it will certainly help improve the coming generations.
*The country will not change by abusing politics, but by preparing ‘future leaders’ in schools – Anil Vij*
Vij said that just as schools work towards making children IAS officers, IPS officers, and engineers, they should also prepare them to become good leaders in the future, which is one of the greatest needs of the country today. He said that schools should include an agenda on what qualities tomorrow’s leaders should possess and work towards nurturing such leadership. Since India has adopted democracy, capable representatives are essential for its success, and schools should play a role in preparing future representatives. He added that merely criticizing politics does not fulfill society’s responsibility.
He further said that around 200 entries had been received for the programme organized today, out of which nearly 40 schools were honoured with excellence awards.
Earlier, Energy Minister Anil Vij was welcomed with bouquets upon his arrival as the chief guest at the event. On the occasion, he presented Excellence Awards to schools from Ambala, Kurukshetra, Yamunanagar, Kaithal, Karnal and other districts for outstanding work in various fields.
Prominent personalities present on the occasion included Pawan Sharma, Kirat Pandey, Yogesh Midda, Municipal Council Chairperson Swarn Kaur, Vice-Chairperson Lalta Prasad, Madan Lal Sharma, Rajeev Dimple, Vijendra Chauhan, Harsh Bindra, Ravi Buddhiraja, Vikas Bahgal, Mohit Kaushik, Deepak Bhasin, Vipin Khanna and several other dignitaries.
