President Droupadi Murmu today said that a Viksit Bharat will only be possible with quality education. Addressing the National Teachers Award ceremony 2026 in New Delhi on the occasion of Teachers’ Day, the President said that a society that respects its teachers is a progressive society in the right sense.
She asserted that education is the most effective means of realising the ideal of equality of opportunity enshrined in our Constitution. She said that the achievement of a negligible primary school dropout rate has been made possible through the efforts of teachers.
President Murmu added that academic excellence, skill development and entrepreneurship play a crucial role in the development of the nation. The President noted that establishing India as the Skill Capital of the World, alongside becoming a Knowledge Power, is the priority of the country. Highlighting the importance of knowledge as the greatest source of power, she said that education empowers individuals to think independently, make informed decisions and contribute meaningfully to the progress of the nation. The President said that dedicated teachers are the frontline nation builders.
The President also recalled Savitribai Phule’s pivotal role in advancing women’s rights and education. President Murmu said that school education forms the foundation of education system. She added that by diligently focusing on the intellectual, physical, and moral development of children in the early grades, teachers can prepare future generations of excellent students and dutiful citizens.
The President underlined that many students come from economically disadvantaged families, who are first-generation learners, or who transition from ordinary village schools to large city schools. She said some are naturally shy, some possess immense talent but lack self-confidence, and some are children with special needs. She noted that it is the special responsibility of teachers to instil confidence in them and uplift all such students who, for any reason, feel a sense of inadequacy.
President Murmu today conferred the National Teachers Awards. 48 selected school teachers from 27 States, seven Union Territories and six Organizations of the Central Government received the awards.
The President also presented National Awards to 21 teachers and faculty members of Higher Education Institutions and polytechnics. Twelve teachers and faculty members from central Higher Education Institutions, five from state universities, including three government and two private colleges and four from polytechnics, including two government and two private polytechnics, have been selected for the Awards. Short documentaries on each awardee depicting the exemplary work done by them were showcased at the event.
Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi, Ministers of State for Education Jayant Singh and Dr Sukanta Majumdar, Secretary School Education T K Anil Kumar, Secretary Higher Education Dipti Gaur Mukherjee and Secretary Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Debashree Mukherjee were present on the occasion.
