New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged teachers to play a wider role in protecting children from emerging challenges such as drug addiction and excessive screen use, saying their responsibility extends beyond academic performance and the classroom.
Interacting with winners of the National Teachers’ Awards at his Lok Kalyan Marg residence on Friday, Modi asked teachers to remain attentive to changes in children’s behaviour and everyday lives, particularly as traditional joint-family structures decline. He said teachers can help identify the causes behind drug use and support students in overcoming the habit.
The Prime Minister also flagged excessive screen time as a growing concern and encouraged teachers to engage with parents on children’s mobile-phone use, including late-night usage. He suggested sports, physical games and creative pursuits as ways to gradually draw children away from excessive screen dependence.
Modi stressed that preserving childhood and nurturing children’s natural curiosity should be central to teaching. Referring to the National Education Policy, he called for taking learning beyond classrooms and connecting children with real-world skills, while also instilling values such as dignity of labour.
The interaction brought together 82 educators selected for this year’s National Teachers’ Awards—48 school teachers, 21 teachers and faculty members from higher educational institutions and polytechnics, and 13 skill trainers. The awardees shared innovative methods they have adopted to make learning more engaging and effective.
On Teachers’ Day, Modi said the occasion is not only an opportunity to recognise teachers’ contribution to society but also to pay tribute to former President and distinguished teacher, Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, whose birth anniversary is observed as Teachers’ Day.
For her part, President Droupadi Murmu, in her Teachers’ Day message, also highlighted the role of educators in nurturing talent and character. She urged teachers to continuously update their knowledge, embrace technology, adopt innovative teaching methods, promote independent thinking and foster a spirit of enquiry among students.
She said dedicated and caring teachers can recognise the unique potential of students, inspire them to pursue excellence and help nurture enlightened generations capable of taking the country to greater heights.
