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Rashtriya Sawemsewak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said teachers ought to lay emphasis on the importance of "traditional values and culture" as well.

"Besides academic teachings, teachers should also lay emphasis on traditional values and culture)," Bhagwat said at a function here.

He also said education policy may be formulated and implemented after much discussion but it is the teachers who put them into practice.

"This reform or that reform, this system or that system. There have been many suggestions. It is good. Those who need to think should consider them," he said, adding that it is the teachers who can implement it.

Bhagwat, however, said often these days the qualities required among teachers are lacking.

"What is required among teachers in often not found these days," he said.

The RSS chief's comments assume significance as a nationwide consultation is being undertaken by the HRD ministry on a new education policy.

A number of educationists including Dinanath Batra, a senior RSS ideologue, were honoured at the function.

At the event, Pranav Pandya of the All World Gayatri Pariwar, who recently declined the offer of Rajya Sabha membership, raised the issue of "attacks on our culture".

He also lamented that while economic liberalisation was unleashed in 1991, no attention was given to the education sector. "As a result students are today seen raising slogans against India," he said.

--IANS

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