National Teachers’ Awards: Smart teachers more important than smart classrooms, says President

She urged teachers to contribute more to girls’ education and to pay special attention to students from underprivileged backgrounds and those who were shy. “The more they contribute to educating girls, the more meaningful their life will be as teachers,” she said.

Murmu also said smart blackboards, smart classrooms and other modern facilities have their own importance in schools and higher education institutions but the most important thing is smart teachers.

“Smart teachers are the teachers who understand the needs of their students’ development. Smart teachers make studies interesting and effective with affection and sensitivity,” she said.

President Murmu said education was as essential as food, clothing and shelter for a person’s dignity and security and that the success of any education initiative ultimately depended on teachers.

She emphasised that girls’ education should be given the utmost importance, calling it an invaluable investment in families, society and the country. Providing the best possible education to girls, she said, was the most effective way to promote women-led development. She highlighted the provisions of the National Education Policy 2020 to expand Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas and provide special facilities to girls from underprivileged backgrounds.

“The biggest reward for teachers is that their students remember them throughout their lives and make commendable contributions to the family, society and country,” Murmu said.

The President said building the character of students was the primary duty of a teacher. “Sensitive, responsible and dedicated students who follow moral conduct are better than those only interested in competition, bookish knowledge and selfishness,” she said, adding that a good teacher combined both emotions and intellect, and that such coordination directly affected students. Ahead of the awards, Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with the National Award-winning teachers.

In a light-hearted remark, he said that while teachers usually give homework to students, he wanted to assign one to them — to lead campaigns promoting swadeshi products and strengthen the “Make in India” and “Vocal for Local” movements.

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