New Delhi: The Delhi government has decided to celebrate Teachers' day this year as 'Abhar Diwas' and felicitate 122 meritorious teachers who have diligently worked during the Covid-19 pandemic, said state Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Saturday.
'This year, teachers' performance during the pandemic will be a major criterion apart from academic excellence for teachers' award in Delhi to be presented on September 5,' stated Manish Sisodia in a press conference.
He said that teachers have done extraordinary work ranging from Covid duty to administering vaccines and distributing ration during the pandemic. "Teachers have proved why they are kept ahead of God always", said the Deputy CM.
Sisodia praised that though teachers were not acquainted with online teaching mechanisms, they have excelled in online teaching and have taught students throughout the pandemic.
"This year teachers' award will be different as it will measure teachers' performance during Covid also", he added.
The major criterion for the teachers' award is to have 15 years of experience in teaching. However, this year it has been changed to only three years of experience which will include all teachers from private and government schools along with guest teachers.
Out of a total of 1,102 applications submitted for the awards, 122 have been finalized by the government. Earlier, only 103 awards were presented on the occasion.
In addition, a special award 'Face of DoE' has also been initiated by the Delhi Government this time. Two teachers -- Rajkumar and Suman Arora will be presented with these awards.
Rajakumar is a Sitar player who has got his name registered in Guinness Book of World Records for playing Sitar for 32 hours and 20 minutes continuously. The other teacher is Suman Arora whose 23 students have cleared JEE Mains and 5 have cleared JEE advance.
The recipients will be presented with the awards at a ceremony held at Thyagaraj Stadium on September 5.