New Delhi, Sep 5 (IANS) President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday described teachers as nation builders and called for improving the quality of education in the country.
Honouring meritorious teachers from different parts of the country, Mukherjee said it is important to improve the quality of education in the country.
The president meanwhile said there was a shift in needs of children. Mukherjee, himself a former teacher, said the education has to be rich in values also.
"To build the India of our dreams, the first and foremost task before us is to improve the quality of education," Mukherjee said, in his speech at the national award event for teachers at Vigyan Bhawan here.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in his message meanwhile revered second president of India S. Radhakrishanan, whose birthday is observed as Teachers Day.
"Teachers are true nation builders. A teacher or a 'Guru' is revered in our society for mentoring our children, building their character and preparing them to face larger challenges of life," the prime minister said in his message.
"On Teachers Day, we remember and honour one of our greatest leaders and teachers, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan. His work, dedication and wisdom continue to inspire us generation after generation. On this auspicious day, I greet all teachers across the country," he said.
The day is celebrated every year Sep 5, marking the birthday of India's first vice president and second president, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. With the changing face of teacher-student equation, students take on the role of teachers on the day.
Principals of three Delhi schools have been awarded this year. The award is given to meritorious teachers working in primary, middle and secondary schools.
"In a nation whose demography is young - both in age and spirit - teachers have the responsibility of providing education which is rich in values and modern in content," Mukherjee added.
Teachers from across the country, union Minister for Human Resource Development (HRD) Kapil Sibal and Ministers of State for HRD E. Ahamed and D. Purandeswari were also present at the function.
The president stressed on the changing boundaries of classroom education and the need for practical learning tools.
"As teachers, we all know that educational activities and learning processes are no longer confined to a classroom-based curriculum. It is necessary to design appropriate learning experiences for the students," Mukherjee said.
"New methods and teaching aids must equip the younger generations to learn more, explore more and contribute more to society," he added.