New Delhi: 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”, President Droupadi Murmu said on Friday at the Teachers Awards ceremony in the national capital.
She described her time as a teacher as a very meaningful period of her life.
“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 studies interesting and effective with affection and sensitivity. Such teachers make students capable of fulfilling the needs of society and the nation… Sensible teachers work to instil a sense of dignity and security in children,” she said.
Murmu noted 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,” she said.
“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 added.
She spoke on how the National Education Policy aims to make India a global knowledge superpower.
“For this, our teachers must be recognised 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. I am confident that our teachers will establish India as a global knowledge superpower with their crucial contribution,” President Murmu added.