Sikkim CM Applauds Yankila Lama for Winning National Teacher Award 2024

Gangtok, September 6, 2024 — Chief Minister of Sikkim, Prem Singh Tamang, extended heartfelt congratulations to Yankila Lama, an Arts Graduate Teacher from Modern Senior Secondary School in Gangtok, for being honored with the prestigious National Teacher Award 2024. The award recognizes Lama’s exceptional contributions to the field of education and her dedication to nurturing young minds.

In his message, CM Tamang praised Lama’s commitment to teaching, stating, “Your dedication and passion for shaping young minds are truly inspiring. May you continue to contribute to the nation’s progress through education.” He highlighted her pivotal role in nation-building and wished her continued success in her career.

During the Teachers’ Day event, the Chief Minister took a moment to reflect on the indispensable role of educators in society. He stressed the importance of appreciating teachers year-round and not solely on designated occasions. Tamang also acknowledged the obstacles his government has navigated, including the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters such as the Glacial Lake Outburst Floods. Despite these hurdles, he expressed pride in the educational reforms achieved since his party, the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), came to power in 2019.

One of the significant reforms highlighted was the resolution of the long-standing issue faced by ad-hoc teachers, many of whom had been working without job security for up to 20 years. The government’s introduction of an eight-year regularization policy was a key step in providing stability and dignity to these educators.

Tamang credited the collective efforts of teachers, students, and government initiatives for the substantial progress made in Sikkim’s education sector, despite the numerous challenges faced along the way.