Teachers have a vital role in national renaissance - President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a message to mark the International Teachers Day called upon teachers to commit themselves to the task of upbringing a disciplined and cultured generation who would contribute to the uplift of the nation liberated from terrorism.

The message:

“I consider myself fortunate to have the opportunity of celebrating the International Teachers’ day under a single flag after three decades.

“The country liberated from terrorism has today embarked on a program of national renaissance. The 200, 000 strong community of teachers has a vital role to play in this endeavour, since it is the teachers who bequeath a disciplined and cultured citizenry to the country.

That is why they are revered in the same way as parents. “As in many countries we have also recognized teachers’ service as a dignified and valuable profession. We should safeguard the dignity of the teacher. “Only a disciplined society could preserve its victories.

Teachers constitute the vanguard in such a society. That is why they should not succumb to commercialism. “It is with great respect we remember all teachers who preserved the dignity of the profession.

It is M G Mendis, a Sri Lankan Trade Unionist who recommended to the UNESCO to celebrate an International Teachers Day.

“Our teachers of the past respected both rights and duties. That is why they are respected. I earnestly wish that our teachers would commit themselves to the task of upbringing a disciplined and cultured generation who would contribute to the uplift of the nation liberated from terrorism.”