Former GHMC and HMDA Commissioner and current Secretary for State Education, IAS Janardhan Reddy’s new initiative, ‘I love my job’ has become a major talking point. Taking it a step further, he has apparently asked all the teachers to come up with answers about ‘What they love the most about their job’.
The 1996 batch IAS officer’s new programme is aimed at enhancing the performance and interest levels of teachers across the state.
“The new initiative is all about how much you love your job, and the exercise is to build an environment where good work is appreciated. Basically, the need for education has to be identified and recognised,” explains Janardhan, who adds that he has worked with people from diverse backgrounds over the last 29 years, only to realise that not all are fortunate to get jobs that they love.
“So it is important that you find happiness in your job,” he shares, adding, “Teaching is such a noble profession that it shapes the lives of the students. Hence, I want to ensure that teachers deliver their best.”
Janardhan states that while most of the teachers are good, they may not give their best due to various reasons. “This programme predominantly aims at removing bottlenecks and hindrances, if any, for effective teaching whilst bringing out the best in teachers,” he says, adding that the programme will also help teachers to vent their grievances about their jobs.
So far, the response to the programme has been great, with some of the best answers to be rewarded soon. “Thousands of teachers have been sending in emotional answers on what their job means to them while suggesting interesting ways to improve the work culture,” explains Janardhan, even as he and his team are personally reviewing them.
Admitting that there are incidents where teachers take their jobs far too seriously and beat up students, he states that those stray incidents will be rectified.
“Most of the teachers are good, but sometimes, they get carried away in the process of knowledge transfer. But it’s not intentional,” Janardhan clarifies, adding, “We are trying to bring about reforms in both ways — in the education sector and by building interest among the students so that there are no dropouts.” Further, Janardhan reveals that the State has recently recruited around 8,000 meritorious teachers. “All of them are going to make a significant impact in terms of knowledge transfer to address these learning crises,” he expresses.
Interestingly, for someone who has been working for 16 hours a day over the last 29 years, Janardhan proudly states that he has never been reviewed by his superiors.
“That’s because I love my job; and whoever loves their job will walk the extra mile,” he shares with a smile, adding, “The joy you get upon putting in an extra hour of work is inexplicable. Basically, we need to be gentlemen without policing.”
