The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, conferred National Awards on teachers from across the country at a function held in New Delhi on September 5 commemorated as Teachers’ Day.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said 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. She appreciated all the teachers for this national success.

The President said that school education forms the foundation of the education system. While knowledge and skills can be acquired at any time, teaching good conduct in childhood is far more effective. By focusing on children's intellectual, physical, and moral development in the early grades, our teachers can prepare future generations of excellent students and dutiful citizens, she said.

The President underlined that many students come from economically disadvantaged families; some are first-generation learners; others transition from ordinary village schools to large city schools; some are naturally shy; some possess immense talent but lack self-confidence; and some are children with special needs. 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.

The President said that academic excellence, skill development, and entrepreneurship hold immense importance in the country’s development. Establishing India as the skill capital of the world and transforming it into a knowledge superpower, is among our national priorities.

The President said that we are moving towards the goal of building a Viksit Bharat, and this goal can be achieved only through a world-class education system. Our teachers breathe life into the education system. We must strive to ensure that not even a single student in our country is deprived of opportunities for quality education. She emphasised that our teachers should instil knowledge, inspiration, morality, and sensitivity in all students through their affection and dedication.