New Delhi, September 5: President Droupadi Murmu conferred the National Awards on teachers from across the country at a function in New Delhi on Teachers’ Day, saying education, skill development and entrepreneurship are central to India’s development.
Addressing the gathering, Murmu said education is the most effective means of realising the constitutional ideal of equal opportunity. She credited teachers with helping bring the primary school dropout rate down to negligible levels and acknowledged their contribution to this achievement.
Teachers shape academic and personal foundations
The President said school education forms the foundation of the wider education system. While knowledge and skills can be acquired at different stages of life, she said lessons in good conduct are most effective when taught during childhood.
She said teachers in the early grades play an important role in the intellectual, physical and moral development of children, helping prepare them to become capable students and responsible citizens.
Support for disadvantaged and first-generation learners
Murmu drew attention to students who face different forms of disadvantage, including those from economically weaker families, first-generation learners, children moving from village schools to large city schools, shy students, talented children who lack confidence and children with special needs.
She said teachers have a special responsibility to build confidence among such students and support those who may feel a sense of inadequacy for any reason.
Skills and quality education linked to national development
The President said academic excellence, skill development and entrepreneurship are important for the country’s progress. She added that establishing India as the skill capital of the world and transforming it into a knowledge superpower are among the country’s national priorities.
Referring to the goal of building a Viksit Bharat, Murmu said it can be achieved only through a world-class education system. She described teachers as the people who give life to that system and said efforts must ensure that no student is denied access to quality education.
She also called on teachers to nurture knowledge, inspiration, morality and sensitivity among students through affection and dedication.