Investing in the education of girls equals investment in the nation: President

NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said that investment in the education of girls was equivalent to an invaluable investment in the building of ones family, society and the nation. On the occasion of Teachers Day, Murmu presented the National Teachers Awards 2025 to 81 educators across India at Vigyan Bhavan 66 to those in the Education department and the rest to those in the Skill Development and Entrepreneurship department. Making a strong pitch for providing the best possible education for girls, the President said that it would pave the way for women-led development. The National Education Policy 2020 emphasises expansion of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas and providing special educational facilities to girls from underprivileged classes, she pointed out. The success of any education-related initiative mainly depends on teachers, she emphasised, urging teachers to pay special attention to all students, including girls who are relatively shy or come from less privileged backgrounds. Recalling her stint as a teacher, she described the phase as a very meaningful period in my life. Smart classrooms, blackboards and other facilities are important but having smart teachers overrides them all. Smart teachers make the process of learning interesting and effective with affection and sensitivity. Such teachers make students capable of fulfilling the needs of society and the nation, she added. Children from highly impoverished backgrounds can progress much due to the power of education. Building the character of students is the primary duty of a teacher. Sensitive, responsible and dedicated students who follow a moral code of conduct are better than students who are only interested in competition, bookish knowledge and selfishness, she said. To make India a global knowledge superpower as envisioned in the NEP, Indias teachers need to be recognised as the best in the world. Educational institutions and teachers need to actively contribute in school education, higher education and skill education, she added.