On September 5, 2025, the President of India conferred National Awards on teachers from across the country, emphasizing the critical role of educators in national development. The President highlighted that education is as essential as basic needs for a person's dignity and security, and that teachers are instrumental in instilling these values in children. She underscored the importance of teachers building students' character and fostering responsible, moral conduct, noting that while modern educational tools are valuable, "smart teachers" who understand and cater to students' developmental needs are paramount. A key focus was placed on the education of girls, described as an invaluable investment in the family, society, and nation, and a means of promoting Women-Led Development. The President referenced the National Education Policy 2020's emphasis on expanding educational opportunities for girls, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, and stressed that the success of these initiatives hinges on teachers' dedication. The President concluded by stating the National Education Policy aims to make India a Global Knowledge Superpower, and urged teachers to contribute actively to school education, higher education and skill education, to achieve this goal, emphasizing the need for Indian teachers to be recognized globally as the best.
Key Entities Referenced
President of India: The Head of State of India, currently Smt Droupadi Murmu.
Smt Droupadi Murmu: The current President of India.
National Awards: Awards conferred on teachers in India.
New Delhi: The capital city of India, where the National Awards ceremony was held.
Teachers Day: A day celebrated in India on September 5th to honor teachers.
National Education Policy 2020: A comprehensive framework for education in India.
Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas: Residential schools for girls from underprivileged communities in India.
Global Knowledge Superpower: A nation that is a leader in knowledge and innovation. Goal for India as stated in National Education Policy 2020
President's Secretariat
PRESIDENT OF INDIA CONFERS NATIONAL
AWARDS ON TEACHERS
TO MAKE INDIA A GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE
SUPERPOWER, OUR TEACHERS MUST BE
RECOGNIZED AS THE BEST TEACHERS IN THE
WORLD : PRESIDENT MURMU
Posted On: 05 SEP 2025 2:20PM by PIB Delhi
The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, conferred National Awards on teachers from across the country
at a function held in New Delhi today (September 5, 2025) on Teachers’ Day.
Addressing the gathering, the President said that like food, clothing and shelter, education is essential for a
person's dignity and security. Sensible teachers work to instill a sense of dignity and security in children. She
recalled her time as a teacher and described that time to be a very meaningful period of my life.The President said that education makes a person capable. Children from the poorest of backgrounds can
touch the skies of progress with the power of education. Affectionate and devoted teachers play the most
important role in giving strength to the flight of children. The biggest reward for teachers is that their students
remember them throughout their lives and make commendable contributions to the family, society and
country.
The President said that building the character of students is the primary duty of a teacher. Sensitive,responsible and dedicated students who follow moral conduct are better than those students who are only
interested in competition, bookish knowledge and selfishness. A good teacher has both emotions and intellect.
The coordination of emotions and intellect also impacts the students.
The President said that smart blackboards, smart classrooms and other modern facilities have their own
importance. But the most important thing is smart teachers. Smart teachers are the teachers who understand
the needs of their students' development. Smart teachers make the process of study interesting and effective
with affection and sensitivity. Such teachers make students capable of fulfilling the needs of society and the
nation.The President said that the education of girls should be given utmost importance. By investing in the girls’
education, we make an invaluable investment in the building of our family, society and nation. She stated that
providing the best possible education to girls is the most effective way to promote Women-Led Development.
She highlighted that the National Education Policy 2020 emphasizes expanding Kasturba Gandhi Balika
Vidyalayas and providing special education facilities to girls from underprivileged classes. But the success of
any initiative related to education mainly depends on teachers. She told teachers that the more they contribute
to educating girls, the more meaningful will be their life as teachers. She urged teachers to pay special
attention to all students, including girls, who are relatively shy or come from less privileged backgrounds.The President said that the National Education Policy aims to make India a Global Knowledge Superpower.
For this, our teachers must be recognized as the best teachers in the world. Our institutions and teachers have
to contribute actively in all three areas of education - school education, higher education and skill education.
She expressed confidence that our teachers will establish India as a Global Knowledge Superpower with their
crucial contribution.
Please click here to see the President's Speech-
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MJPS/SR
(Release ID: 2164166)