LAHORE: World Teacher’s Day was observed in the provincial capital on Friday to pay tribute to the “builders of the nation”. A numbers of ceremonies were organised at government level, schools, colleges and at universities. Seminars and conferences were among the programmes organised to mark the day. One such ceremony was organised at Aiwan-e-Iqbal which was attended by Punjab Schools Education Minister Murad Raas, who distributed Star Teachers Awards, certificates and cash prizes among the teachers. Murad Raas said that teachers are the backbone of the education sector and added that their role is very important in the establishment of new Pakistan. “No development is possible without teachers and I wish that every teacher should be a star teacher,” he said adding that professional capacity of teachers will be improved through their capacity-building so that students could be given quality education. Solid steps will be taken to provide rights to the teachers. The minister said, “I salute the teachers on this day and promise that best environment will be provided to them in government schools so that they could educate the young generation with dedication, commitment and passion.” He said that different measures are being taken for the training of teachers so that they could perform well in class. “We will have to give due respect to the teachers because they are the spiritual fathers of their students,” he said. University of Engineering & Technology (UET) celebrated Teachers Day to join the world community in commemoration of International Teacher’s Day at Main Auditorium Hall. UET Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Fazal Ahmed Khalid highly appreciated the students’ gesture of honouring their teachers. He expressed that such initiatives of students’ engagement will definitely send a positive message to the outside community in line with the vision of the university leadership. While talking to the participants, UET VC Professor Dr Fazal Ahmed Khalid said, “I am indeed very happy to be with you today. I understand that Teachers Day celebrations are held all over the country to honour all teachers and to express your nation’s gratitude to them for their dedicated services to the nation. Teachers Day is the ideal way of telling teachers that we are thankful for their presence in our society.” A programme was held at the main campus of University of Education to celebrate the day. The event was attended by the university’s VC Professor Dr Rauf Azam, Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) Chairman Dr Nizamuddin, Islamia University VC Dr Habib Khan, Federal Higher Education Commission (FHEC) Director General Farmanullah and a large number of university faculty. While addressing the audience, Professor Dr Rauf Azam said teachers were the building blocks of our lives. “Teachers are also the guide who play an important role in transforming a student into a responsible citizen. They serve selflessly and help us reach at our destiny. The contribution of teachers towards nation building can never be undermined,” he said adding that teachers teach their students just like their own children. Parents give birth to a child whereas teachers shape their life and character and make their future bright. Teachers let us know the importance of education in our life through their continuous efforts. While addressing the gathering, PHEC Chairman Dr Nizamuddin said that teachers are a source of inspiration for their students so we must pay our regards to them. FHEC DG Farmanullah said Teachers Day is an occasion and opportunity to pay tribute and gratitude to our teachers. Published in Daily Times, September 6th 2018.