President Murmu Highlights Teachers’ Role in Shaping India’s Future
President Droupadi Murmu highlights how teachers build knowledge, values, curiosity, character and social responsibility among India’s students.
AC Team
Teachers do more than explain lessons and check notebooks. They help shape the way young people think, act and take part in society. This message was highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he shared an article written by President Droupadi Murmu.
The article was shared on Teachers’ Day, observed in India on 5 September. It focuses on the wide role of teachers and the lasting effect they can have on students, families and the nation.
Teachers shape more than academic results
President Murmu wrote that teachers shape destinies by giving students knowledge, skills, values and motivation. These four parts of education work together.
Knowledge helps students understand the world. Skills help them solve problems and handle daily tasks. Values guide their choices. Motivation gives them the will to learn, improve and face challenges.
A good teacher may teach mathematics, science, languages or history. Yet the impact of that teacher often reaches far beyond the classroom. A kind word can help a shy child speak up. A fair decision can teach students to respect others. A question asked at the right time can start a lifelong interest in learning.
Teaching as a task that shapes humanity
The President described teaching as a sacred task because it helps shape humanity. This view places teachers at the heart of nation building.
Schools do not only prepare students for exams or jobs. They also help young people understand right and wrong, respect different views and live with others. Teachers guide this process through lessons, stories, classroom rules and their own conduct.
Students often remember how a teacher made them feel long after they forget a chapter. Most teachers know this from experience. One lost pencil may create more drama than a full history lesson, but small moments still teach patience, care and responsibility.
Why independent thinking matters
President Murmu also called for independent thinking and curiosity. These skills help students ask questions instead of accepting every answer without thought.
Independent thinking does not mean rejecting every idea. It means learning to examine facts, compare views and form a clear opinion. Curiosity encourages students to explore subjects in greater depth. It can turn a simple classroom question into research, discussion or a new interest.
Teachers can support this by allowing students to ask questions, make mistakes and explain their views. A classroom where students feel safe to speak can help them become better learners and better citizens.
Building good human beings
The article urges teachers to guide students to become good human beings. This goal includes academic growth, but it also covers character and social duty.
Students need to learn honesty, kindness, discipline and respect. They also need to understand that their actions affect other people. Group work, community projects and classroom duties can help turn these values into daily habits.
The President’s message links this work to several important ideas:
- Cultural heritage: Students should learn about India’s history, languages, art, traditions and shared values.
- Scientific outlook: They should value evidence, reason and careful thought while staying open to new ideas.
- Antyodaya: This ideal calls for the welfare and progress of the last person in society, especially those who need support.
- Environmental protection: Students should understand the need to protect water, air, soil, forests and other natural resources.
- Nation First: Education should encourage a sense of responsibility towards the country and its people.
The role of teachers in a changing world
Teachers now work in a world filled with fast information, digital tools and many competing voices. Students can find answers online within seconds, but they still need help deciding which information they can trust.
This makes the teacher’s role even more important. Teachers can help students check sources, use technology with care and connect classroom learning with real issues. They can also show that progress should include care for people, society and nature.
Parents, schools and communities share this responsibility. When they support teachers and create a healthy learning environment, students get more space to grow in knowledge, character and confidence.
The message shared by Prime Minister Modi places teachers at the centre of India’s educational journey. It asks them to teach subjects, encourage questions and help students develop the values needed to serve society. In a classroom, even a simple lesson can become a lesson in how to live.
