Rajnath links edu to character building

Lucknow: Union defence minister and Lucknow member of parliament Rajnath Singh on Friday said it was a matter of satisfaction for him to witness the progress of Lucknow and the growth of its educational institutions. Addressing students, teachers, parents and school administrators at the inauguration of the Golf City campus of City Montessori School in Lucknow, Rajnath said that seeing students with aspirations for the future reflected the city's evolving role in shaping the next generation.Singh said the state has been progressing rapidly in areas such as infrastructure, investment, industry and education. He stated that under chief minister Yogi Adityanath, new educational institutions are being established and an environment conducive to learning is being created. The focus is not only on opening schools and colleges but also on building an ecosystem where students can grow in a positive learning environment, he said. Singh emphasised that educational institutions have two key dimensions: physical infrastructure and internal values. While modern facilities such as laboratories, sports grounds, libraries and technology-enabled classrooms are important, he said the deeper essence of education lies in values and character development.He said schools should function not only as centres of academic learning but also as places where students develop personality, responsibility and ethical values. Education, he added, should help students reflect on themselves, understand the world around them and build strong character.