The district authorities here have issued orders to government schools to make effective arrangements for live presentation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech on Teachers' Day, even as Union HRD Ministry clarified that the speech is not binding on schools.
"There should be no laxity in following the instruction for arranging TV or Radio as per the strength of students in the government-run schools for showing PM's live speech and an audio system to listen to it on September 5," said Collector K Kunal, addressing a high-level meeting of district education officers and nodal in-incharges of schools.
Where the students' strength is more than fifty, there should be a colour TV more than of 20 inch screen with loudspeaker system so that students could hear and watch him, an official release, quoting the collector said last night.
In schools where the strength is less than 50 students, a loudspeaker for AIR broadcast be installed by September 4, the collector said, adding, to avoid any power disruption the schools should also arrange generators.
As per the collector's circular the PM will address school students from 3:45 pm to 4:45 pm on TV/AIR.
He also asked the school administration to ensure the presence of every student in school and take attendance by 2:30 pm on the very day.
However, HRD Smriti Irani had yesterday said that the participation of schools and students in the event was "voluntary" and that attendance is not mandatory for students.
She also dismissed reports that the Centre was planning to celebrate the days as "GURU Utsav".
The collector also said that packets of biscuits, fresh filtered water bottles, and fruits be arranged for students.
