The Delhi government on Saturday felicitated around 116 teachers and principals with state awards on Teachers’ Day, with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta saying the government is working to improve education in the city by addressing gaps in school infrastructure as well as curriculum.

Addressing the Shikshak Mahakumbh Award event, she said the government aimed to take education to “great heights”, but it had to begin by addressing basic facilities in schools.

“We want to take education to great heights and make a lot of progress, but the previous governments did not do anything in 12 years. So, after coming to power, we have had to start working from a very low level,” said CM Rekha Gupta.

CM Rekha Gupta said the government was working on repairing toilets, ensuring water facilities, maintenance, whitewashing and other repair works in schools.

“Many schools had very poor toilet facilities. Once, I went for an inspection to a very good and reputed school, which the previous government used to boast about. When I saw it, there was no gate in the toilet. How would our girl students have been using it?” she said.

Apart from infrastructure, the government was also working on courses and curriculum, the chief minister said, adding that the Education Department and Education Minister Ashish Sood were continuously working on these issues.

On Teachers’ Day, Gupta assured that her government would continue working to improve the education system and secure a better future for children.