05 October 2004	Tuesday	19 Shaban 1425

KARACHI, Oct 4: The World Teachers' Day would be observed on Oct 5. The occasion is aimed at highlighting the significance of the teaching profession and to appreciate the contributions made by the teachers towards the national development.

A statement of the Sindh education department here on Monday said it has been decided to celebrate this day at the national, provisional and district level. It said that the theme of this year's celebrations in Pakistan has been approved by the government as the 'Salam Teacher Day'.

The education department has issued directives to mark the day in a befitting manner. The activities include sending of cards reflecting greetings to teachers by prominent persons, dignitaries, government officials and armed forces officers as a mark of respect and acknowledgement.

As many as 300 cards are being sent to teachers of the province of Sindh who made major contribution in making them what they are today. In this regard, the names of best teachers - primary, secondary, college and university, nominated for the award has been sent to the ministry of education in Islamabad.

ARBAB: The teachers are respectable members of the society and they should be accorded due status. Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim said in a statement on Monday.

The chief minister expressed his pleasure that 'Salam Teacher Day' was being marked at the national level on Oct 5 to pay tributes to teachers. He said the role of teachers in national development was appreciable, and they had contributed immensely towards the progress of the country.

Dr Rahim said the teachers had a big role in imparting knowledge and training to the youngsters. He also appealed to the people to mark the day in a befitting manner and pay rich tributes to the teachers in view of their services and contributions.

SPLA: The Sindh Professors and Lecturers Association said on Monday that the government should allocate five per cent of the GDP for education and teachers be given free treatment and residential facilities.

They should be exemption from income tax and there should be immediate halt to denationalization of educational institutions, it demanded. It said that the government should also take measures for fixing handsome salaries of teachers serving in private institutions. Private educational institutions be restrained from increasing their tuition fees, it said.

SPLA office-bearers Syed Riaz Ahsan, Aga Khalid Pathan, Manzoor Chishti that the government was taking only "cosmetic measures" while celebrating the teachers day. -APP/PPI