Ministry of Education
Celebrating Teacher’s Day
A Tribute to Educators and Government's Role in Their Development
Posted On: 05 SEP 2024 4:54PM
Teacher's Day is a celebration dedicated to honouring educators and recognising their vital societal role. In India, Teacher's Day is celebrated on September 5th, a date chosen to honour Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a revered scholar, philosopher, and the second President of India. It reflects the nation's appreciation for his dedication to academic excellence and role in shaping modern India's educational framework.
The Great Indian Philosopher: Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
Born on September 5, 1888, in a small town in Andhra Pradesh, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s influence profoundly impacted India's educational and political landscape. He received his education at Christian College, Madras, and went on to serve as a professor in several renowned universities, including the University of Mysore and the University of Calcutta. His philosophical and intellectual pursuits earned him the Spalding Professorship of Eastern Religions and Ethics at the University of Oxford.
His work on comparative religion and philosophy was instrumental in introducing Indian philosophy to the Western world. He was also a firm believer in education as a transformative tool for society.
During his presidency, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was revered for his wisdom, erudition, and deep understanding of Indian culture and philosophy. His term was characterised by his commitment to upholding the democratic values enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
National Teachers’ Awards: Celebrating Excellence
The purpose of the National Teachers’ Awards is to celebrate the unique contribution of some of the finest teachers in the country and to honour those teachers who, through their commitment and industry, have not only improved the quality of school education but also enriched the lives of their students. It was first instituted in 1958 to recognize the excellence and commitment of teachers in shaping the minds as well as the future of the youth. In the mid-60s, 5th September came to be the fixed date for the function on account of the birthday of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, former President of India. The award was to accord public recognition to meritorious teachers working in elementary and secondary schools. Awardees receive a cash prize of Rs 50,000, a silver medal, and a certificate.
For year-wise awardee details, click here.
Expansive Network of Educators in India
In India, the teaching landscape is marked by a substantial and diverse workforce across various educational institutions. As of 2021-22, 15.98 lakh teachers are employed in higher education institutions (HEIs), while the number of teachers in schools is 95.07 lakh. In higher education, the pupil-teacher ratio stands at 26, highlighting the scale of individual attention that can be provided in these institutions. This distribution underscores the vital importance of teachers in both foundational and advanced education, demonstrating their pivotal role in fostering academic growth and development across India’s vast educational system. Such an extensive network is made possible due to the government's constant support and upliftment of the teaching community, recognizing the crucial role educators play in the nation’s progress and development.
Empowering Educators, Enhancing Teaching Standards
The Government of India has launched several initiatives to enhance the quality and effectiveness of its teaching workforce.
National Initiative for School Heads’ and Teachers’ Holistic Advancement (NISHTHA)
NISHTHA is a capacity-building programme for "Improving Quality of School Education through Integrated Teacher Training". It aims to build competencies among all the teachers and school principals at the elementary stage. NISHTHA is the world's largest teachers' training programme of its kind. The basic objective of this massive training programme is to motivate and equip teachers to encourage and foster critical thinking in students. The initiative is the first of its kind wherein standardised training modules are developed at the national level for all States and UTs.
National Mission for Mentoring
National Mission for Mentoring (NMM) is a programme in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which offers professional development opportunities to Mentors for sharing their knowledge, abilities, and experience with mentees to support them on their path to becoming effective teachers. The NMM encourages community engagement through forums, organises mentoring events, and prioritises user security. It aims to create a supportive environment, enhance mentorship experiences and contribute to individual and collective growth.
National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST)
The National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST) seek to fulfil NEP 2020's objectives of ensuring that all students have equitable access to the best possible education. NPST assures that all teachers should be enthusiastic, driven, highly qualified, well-prepared, and equipped to teach all learners at all levels of schooling. Thus, drawing the best talent to the teaching profession is the need of the hour. The NPST facilitates identifying the qualities of teachers at various career stages. In addition, it focuses on the preparation, practice and performance improvement of all teachers.
Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya National Mission on Teachers & Teaching (PMMMNMTT)
The Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya National Mission on Teachers and Teaching (PMMMNMTT) aimed to infuse innovation in pedagogy (teaching), leading to better learning outcomes. Given the massive growth of education at all levels, including elementary, secondary, higher, technical, and vocational, there is a corresponding increase in demand for teachers. The PMMMNMTT focuses on Integrated Teacher education programmes to cater to the professional development needs of both pre-service and in-service teachers and faculty.
AICTE – Faculty Development Schemes
In addition to all programmes mentioned above, the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) conducts several Faculty Development Schemes, including the AICTE-Quality Improvement Program, AICTE-National Initiative For Technical Teachers Training (NITTT), and training programs for physical education trainers and sports teachers.
The significant number of teachers across various educational institutions and the government’s robust initiatives reflect a concerted effort to support and enhance the teaching profession. These initiatives aim to ensure that educators are recognised and empowered to deliver high-quality education. As we celebrate Teacher's Day, it is essential to recognise and appreciate the transformative influence of teachers and support the ongoing efforts to uplift and advance their profession, ensuring that they continue to inspire and educate generations to come.
References
Celebrating Teacher’s Day (0.42 MB, Format: PDF)
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Santosh Kumar/Ritu Kataria/Apoorva Mahiwal
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