Teaching is a sacred mission, not just a job’;Collector,Rayagada
Rayagada Collector urges newly appointed teachers to build character and eradicate social ills
Dr.Badal Tah, Odishabarta
Rayagada,November,2,2026:In an impassioned call to transformative public service, Rayagada District Collector Ashutosh Kulkarni has urged newly recruited teachers to look beyond the boundaries of routine government employment and dedicate themselves to shaping the character, values, and future of rural and indigenous children.
Addressing the inductees during an orientation session organized under the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes (ST & SC) Development Department, Collector Kulkarni congratulated the candidates on reaching a crucial career milestone while reminding them of the profound societal responsibility now resting on their shoulders.
Eradicate Social Evils Early
Collector Kulkarni pointed out that persistent pressures challenge adolescents even before they enter adulthood—including substance abuse, inadequate sanitation, and entrenched superstitions—cannot be eradicated by administrative enforcement or welfare schemes alone. “These deeply rooted social challenges can only be eradicated when attitudes are shaped early in life,” he emphasized. “A child’s mind is fertile ground for constructive change. When you instil hygiene habits, scientific temper, self-esteem, and moral courage in a child, that transformation does not stop with the student—it radiates across their entire family and village.”
Patience and Empathy in Tribal Areas
With several newly inducted Sevaks, Sevikas, and Language Teachers receiving postings in inaccessible hilly terrains and interior hamlets, the Collector advised them to approach pupils with patience, empathy, and cultural sensitivity. Recognising that many young pupils communicate exclusively in native tribal languages and might feel overwhelmed by formal academic curricula, he urged teachers to bridge communication divides using regional dialects. “Speak to them in languages they understand, honour their indigenous heritage, and cultivate their self-worth before testing them on examination scores. The moment a teacher steps up as a compassionate guardian rather than an intimidating authority figure, genuine education begins.”
Assured of Full Support
Collector Kulkarni affirmed that the district administration and the state government remain committed to upgrading school infrastructure, hostel facilities, nutritional mid-day meal programmes, and teaching-learning materials across every block of Rayagada. In return, he stressed that the administration expects absolute punctuality, professional integrity, and an uncompromising work ethic from every educator in the field.
“Securing this appointment is a significant achievement, but you must recognize from day one that stepping into these classrooms is not merely about drawing a monthly salary. If you treat this as just another job, your impact will remain confined to official records. But if you embrace it as your life’s calling, you hold the power to rewrite the destiny of entire generations.”— Collector Ashutosh Kulkarni
Education Beyond Books
He noted that an overwhelming majority of children entering government and welfare classrooms in Rayagada are first-generation learners hailing from marginalized, tribal families. For these communities, classroom education represents the most potent instrument to break long-standing cycles of poverty and socio-economic vulnerability.
Impart Values, Not Just Lessons
Highlighting the essence of holistic pedagogy, the Collector observed that completing textbook chapters and administering periodic examinations represents only the baseline of an educator’s duties. A true teacher, he stated, must prioritize imparting “Sanskar”—foundational values, ethics, civic discipline, compassion, and moral character.
Teachers Key to Rayagada’s Progress
Concluding his address, the District Collector called on the teachers to take pride in their vocation, noting that the collective future and socio-economic progress of Rayagada district will be decided by teachers and headmasters inside their classrooms. And there is no alternative to this. “The collective future and socio-economic progress of Rayagada will be decided by teachers and headmasters.”
