Thiruvananthapuram: Teachers' Day was celebrated in schools across Kerala Monday with a variety of programmes, even as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urged teachers to strengthen relationship with students for setting up a better society in the future.
Marking the state-level inauguration of the Teachers' Day celebrations at the central school in Attakkulangara here, he urged people to give noble donations to public education institutions at least once in their life, in a manner similar to which they pay contributions to the places of worship.
Special facilities would be set up in schools to nurture the arts and sports skills of students, Vijayan said, adding, government earmarked Rs one crore for launching such training centres in at least one school in all districts.
"Teachers have a key role to play in evolving the lifestyle of students. The soulful relationship between teachers and students should be strengthened. If the relationship between teachers and students is not strong and deep, it will effect the future generation," he said.
He said government was planning to have digital classes.
"We need to change to digital education. Very soon our schools will become Hitech schools and classes from standard one to twelve will become smart," he said, adding that a time-bound programme in this regard was being planned.
Mother tongue should be taught in the traditional way, he said.
Education Minister C Ravindranath gave a special message to students on the subject lifestyle.
A number of colourful programmes including felicitation of teachers and presenting them with gifts were organised in several schools as part of the day.
The day also marked protests in some parts of the state by higher secondary school guest teachers, who have "not been paid" since the last over two years.
There are 2,655 teachers in this category who have been denied salaries and benefits, the affected teachers claimed.
"Since the last two years we have not got even salary," a teacher who joined duty in 2014 claimed.