While interacting with National Teachers’ Award winners at his residence on Lok Kalyan Marg yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged teachers to keep an eye not only on children’s academic performance but also on their behavior and daily lives. He stated that amidst changing family structures and the decline of joint families, the responsibility of teachers in children’s lives has increased further.
The Prime Minister urged teachers to timely identify signs of a growing tendency towards substance abuse among children, understand the underlying causes, and help them overcome this issue.
The Prime Minister stated that it is a crucial responsibility of teachers to preserve the innocence of children and channel their natural curiosity in the right direction. He emphasized that children possess an inherent inclination to learn and discover; by encouraging this, teachers can make a significant contribution to shaping their personalities and futures.
This year, 82 teachers and educators from three departments have been selected for the National Teachers’ Award. These include 48 from the Department of School Education and Literacy, 21 from higher education institutions and polytechnics, and 13 skill trainers from the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
The selected teachers shared their innovative teaching experiences. They explained that classrooms could be made more engaging and effective, while fostering active student participation, through creative activities and new methods.
Expressing serious concern over the increasing screen time among children, the Prime Minister urged teachers to raise awareness among parents. He stated that special attention needs to be paid to the habit of children using mobile phones late into the night.
He emphasized engaging children in sports, physical activities, and creative pursuits so that they could gradually move away from excessive screen use. Referring to the National Education Policy, he stated that it is essential to connect children with real-life experiences and practical skills beyond the classroom.
The Prime Minister urged teachers not to limit themselves merely to the curriculum but also to inculcate important values, such as the dignity of labour, in children. He stated that the goal of education is to foster the holistic development of a child’s personality alongside imparting knowledge.
(PIB)
