The 60th Teachers' Day celebration will be a week-long affair this year in Andhra Pradesh as the School Education Department is set to conduct Edu Fest-2022 from August 29 to September 5. The festivities would begin with National Sports Day celebrations on August 29 and continue with various other programmes. "This being the 60th year since celebrating September 5 as Teachers' Day started in 1962, marking the birth anniversary of former President and scholar Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, we wanted to do it in a different and grand way. So, we are organising Edu Fest-2022 in all schools across the state for a week," School Education Commissioner S Suresh Kumar said.

Owing to Covid-19 pandemic, Teachers' Day could not be celebrated in 2020 and 2021. Apart from Education department officials and teachers, the Parents Committees, non-government organisations, philanthropists, Old Students Associations and retired teachers would be involved in conducting the fest. The festivities would begin with the National Sports Day celebration on August 29. In schools, staff meetings would be held to analyse the students' performance through baseline assessment, Mr Kumar told PTI.

On day two, Students Clubs, related to sports, culture, social service, science, health, yoga and languages, would be formed in all schools with teachers as mentors. Discussion on school safety guidelines would also be held in all schools. A meeting of the parents committee would be held in each school on September 1 and NGOs, philanthropists, alumni and retired teachers would be invited to showcase the best practices being adopted. The local public representatives would also be involved.

Various schemes for the betterment of students would also be highlighted, he said. On September 2, health check for teachers and students would be conducted. There would also be a discussion on career guidance. Various competitions on the Teachers' Day theme would be conducted on September 3 for students as well as teachers. Sports and games for teachers are lined up on September 4 while learning outcomes of students, class and subject-wise, would be displayed.

On Teachers' Day, best teacher awardees and retired teachers would be felicitated. Students would honour their teachers on the occasion. The day would also have cultural programmes by teachers and students and distribution of prizes for winners of various competitions. "The Edu Fest-2022 will culminate with ‘Upadhyaya Deevenalu’ (teachers’ blessings) to students," Mr Kumar added. The Commissioner directed the Regional Joint Directors and District Educational Officers to visit the schools for effective implementation of the events.