Cuttack: Urging students to stay away from the distractions of social media and misinformation, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday advised them instead to focus on studies with discipline. Interacting with students during a Teachers’ Day programme at Secondary Board High School here, Majhi advised them to channel their energy towards career building and holistic development.“Study with one mind and soul without being influenced by propaganda on social media. Do not waste too much time on social media. Stay away from misinformation or anything that can hinder your career. Focus on your studies and build your career. Your first responsibility as students is to acquire good academic skills and contribute to your own and the country’s development,” Majhi told the students.Majhi said education was not merely about acquiring knowledge but a process of building human beings. “Our teachers are fulfilling this important responsibility,” he said. Referring to India’s ‘guru-shishya’ tradition, the CM said teachers had played a decisive role in shaping great personalities through the ages. He cited examples ranging from Lord Ram and Lord Krishna to Chandragupta Maurya and Swami Vivekananda. He also recalled former President A P J Abdul Kalam, who considered it an honour to identify himself as a teacher despite holding the country’s top positions.Highlighting his govt’s KG-to-PG free education initiative, under which Odisha has become the first state in the country to provide the facility, Majhi said the state was undertaking comprehensive reforms in education. “As many as 2,200 Godabarish Mishra Adarsha Prathamika Vidyalayas are being developed for Rs 12,000 crore, while 45,000 nursery schools have been opened for preschool children. The govt also plans to fill 45,000 teacher posts over the next three years,” said Majhi.The CM appreciated the role of ‘Panchasakha Shiksha Setu’ in transforming schools by involving their alumni. He said institutions could draw strength from the knowledge of teachers, talent of students and experience of former students.Majhi also felicitated five teachers at the programme, which was also attended by several legislators, senior education officials, teachers, students and the school alumni.
