Teacher's Day

Teachers - versatile instruments shaping young minds

Nelson Mandela once said, ”Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world”. A teacher serves the society by instructing and guiding countless students through the different stages of their growth. A teacher plays different roles in a student’s life. The teacher is a philosopher enlightening their students about the ways of the world. Apart from their mothers, children spend maximum time with their teachers .A teacher carries a big responsibility on their shoulders, the job of shaping the minds of the students.

Teachers look after the best interests of the students and genuinely play an important role in the society. They can make or break a future generation; such is the power that rests in the hands of the teachers.

As we all know that our teachers play a great and most important role in our lives. They helps us to improve our knowledge, skill level, confidence as well as they shape us in the right shape to get success.

Teacher's day - a day to recognise the contributions of teachers

We as a society have the responsibility of acknowledging and appreciating the service of teachers. Teacher’s day, which is celebrated once a year on 5^th of September is the great chance to us to spend a day for them and say thanks.

Since 1962 the day commemorates the birthday of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakhrishnan, a great teacher and a staunch believer of education, known for his contribution towards the education system of India. According to Dr Radhakhrishnan, “teachers should be the best minds in the country”. The birthday of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakhrishnan came to be celebrated as Teachers Day when some of his students requested him to allow them to celebrate his birthday ‘5th September’. Dr.Radhakrishnan said, “instead of celebrating my birthday separately, it would be my proud privilege if September 5 is observed as Teachers’ day”. Since then 5th September is observed as Teachers Day throughout India.

What can we do on Teacher's day

Most of the schools and institutions make elaborate preparations for the occasion of Teachers Day. Students try many innovative ways to celebrate the day. The day usually starts with a warm Teachers Day speech to thank the teachers for their contribution. Few traditional methods include gifting beautiful Teachers Day cards and gifts to the teacher as tokens of love and respect. Some students also select popular Teachers Day quotes to convey hearty messages to their teachers and leave it at their desk. Some institutions also allow their senior students to pose as teachers for the day and take lessons assigned to the teacher they represent. As the day passes students perform several activities to celebrate the day.

Students look forward to Teacher’s day with great enthusiasm and zeal due to the sheer spirit of the occasion. On this day students realize what it means to be a teacher and what responsibilities a teacher bears when it means to control the future of several students. Teachers on this day are reminded of their school days when they were at the student’s desk and feel nostalgic. It is an equally special day for them. They get to know how much they are liked and appreciated by the students. Teachers Day is another way to provide encouragement and support to the teachers to make them feel their devotion towards students is appreciated.

All of us have been students someday and have benefited from our teachers. Celebration of teacher’s day is a wonderful opportunity to show our gratitude to our teachers. Apart from the fun-filled activities Teachers Day is also to remember and get inspired by Dr. Radhakrishnan, who showed immense love for the teaching position.

National Teachers' Awards

The purpose of National Teachers’ Award is to celebrate the unique contribution of teachers in the country and to honor those teachers who, through their commitment and dedication, have not only improved the quality of education but also enriched the lives of their students. Each award carries a certificate of merit, a cash award of Rs. 50,000 and a silver medal. The awardees would also get an opportunity to interact with Hon’ble Prime Minister.

Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education has been organising a National level function on Teachers Day every year to confer the National Awards to the best teachers of the country, selected through a rigorous, transparent selection process. From 2023, the ambit of National Teachers’ Award has been expanded to include teachers of Department of Higher Education and Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. 50 School Teachers, 13 teachers from Higher education and 12 teachers from Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship will be awarded this year.

With a view to recognize innovative teaching, research, community outreach and novelty of work the nominations were sought in online mode to maximize participation (Jan Bhagidari). 

To view the list of awardees, click here.