On Teachers' Day, Congress Criticizes Government's Education Policies

Congress Criticizes Government on Education System on Teachers' Day

Lucknow | September 5, 2026 - The Uttar Pradesh Congress office in Lucknow hosted a grand 'Teacher Felicitation Ceremony' on the occasion of Teachers' Day. Academicians, professors, and representatives from colleges and universities were honored for their contributions.

The event's highlight was the address by Congress State In-charge R.P. Gautam and Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai, who raised serious questions about the current government's policies in the education sector. The ceremony began with garlanding the portrait of the great educationist and former President of India, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.

The esteemed figures from the education world present believed that teachers not only impart bookish knowledge but also play a crucial role in shaping students' personalities, thoughts, and futures, thereby contributing significantly to the progress of society and the nation. Therefore, honoring teachers and acknowledging their contributions is a collective responsibility of society.

Government Criticized Over Education System

Congress State In-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam stated that the current ruling party is working to weaken education and educational institutions. He alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party is attempting to snatch the right to education from the country.

He emphasized the extremely important role of teachers during these critical times, saying that only through their efforts can the flame of education be kept alive in society. Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai described the state's education system as 'ruined,' attributing it to the government's indifference towards education and its disdain for students.

He expressed concern that 27,000 primary schools have been closed in Uttar Pradesh and 81,000 teaching positions are vacant. Rai also highlighted that the central government has allocated the lowest ever budget of just 2.4 percent for education. He alleged that the state's education system is in the hands of 'education mafias,' and in such circumstances, the contributions of teachers can help preserve the dignity of education.

Honoring Academicians and Teachers

Several prominent academicians, including Professor Vinod Chandra, Asim Waqar, Dr. Amit Rai, and Dr. Shravan Kumar, were present at the ceremony. Numerous teachers and academicians from various educational institutions were honored, including Dr. Ajay Arya, Prof. Gulab Rai, Prof. Asha Parvez, Prof. Ajay Khanna, Mrs. Aparna Tiwari, Ms. Madhumita, Prof. V. B. Singh, Dr. J. N. Shukla, Prof. Rajesh Tiwari, Dr. Arvind Kumar Yadav, Dr. Sandeep Patel, Prof. Niranjan Rai, Prof. Archana Mishra, Dr. Varuneshwari Trivedi, Dr. Rajesh Gautam, Dr. Sant Lal, Prof. Vijay Verma, Dr. Sudha Mishra, Jai Prakash Saroj, Babita Srivastava, Soham Jaiswal, Dr. Merajuddin Khan, Dr. Avadhesh Kumar Singh, Mrs. Aparna Yadav, and Mr. S. R. Yadav.

Notably, Prof. Ajit Kumar Singh, former Acharya and Director of the Giri Institute of Development Studies, Lucknow, was bestowed with the 'Shikshak Shiromani Samman' (Eminent Teacher Award). Additionally, Dr. Ayodhya Sharan Tiwari, Prof. Ajay Arya, Prof. Gulab Rai, Prof. Agha Parvez Masih, Prof. Azra Bano, Mrs. Aparna Bano, Dr. Seema Pandey, Ms. Madhumita, Prof. V.B. Singh, Dr. J.N. Shukla, Prof. Rajesh Tiwari, Dr. Arvind Kumar Yadav, Dr. Sandeep Patel, Prof. Niranjan Rai, Prof. Archana Mishra, Mohd. Badruzzama Siddiqui, Mr. Nihal Ahmed, Mr. Suresh Maurya, Dr. Rajesh Gautam, Dr. Santlal, Prof. Vijay Verma, Mr. Jai Prakash Saroj, Mrs. Babita Srivastava, Mrs. Sonam Jaiswal, Dr. Merajuddin Khan, and Dr. Avneesh Kumar Singh were also honored on Teachers' Day.

Gratitude and Resolve Towards Gurus

The speakers at the event, remembering the great educationist Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, stated that Teachers' Day provides an important occasion to express respect and gratitude towards our gurus.

The long-term academic contributions, guidance to students, and invaluable services of teachers to society were appreciated during their felicitation. The ceremony also included a resolution to continuously raise voices for the protection of the dignity and rights of education, teachers, and educational institutions.