On September 6, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with the award-winning teachers and emphasized the significance of receiving education in one's mother tongue.
During the interaction, the teachers shared their experiences and discussed innovative methods they use to make learning more engaging. They also highlighted their involvement in social work alongside their teaching duties. Modi praised their dedication to the teaching profession and acknowledged the passion they have consistently shown over the years.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that the government is making efforts to recognize exceptional teachers who use innovative methods in education. During his interaction with National Teachers' Award recipients, Modi refrained from discussing past government practices, focusing instead on the present and future, encouraging teachers to prepare students for a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India).
Modi encouraged the award-winning teachers to engage students in exploring India's top 100 tourist destinations. He suggested that by learning about various places as part of educational tours, students could broaden their horizons.
The selection process for the National Teachers' Awards was rigorous, recognizing teachers whose contributions align with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP). Modi acknowledged the hard work of these teachers and noted that there are many others making significant contributions.
He also encouraged teachers to inspire students by organizing trips to nearby universities or sporting events, as such experiences could fuel their ambitions and dreams.
A total of 82 teachers from across the country were honored, including 50 from the Department of School Education & Literacy, 16 from the Department of Higher Education, and 16 from the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, according to an official statement.
Modi further suggested that the awardees connect via social media to share best practices, allowing everyone to learn and benefit from one another’s experiences.
He also highlighted the importance of the NEP and stressed the need for education in students' mother tongues. Additionally, he encouraged teachers to introduce local folklore in different languages, enabling students to learn multiple languages while gaining insight into India’s rich cultural heritage.
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