PM Modi Interacts with National Teachers Award Winners, Urges Focus on Children’s Well-Being

New Delhi, September 5, 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with the winners of the National Teachers Awards at his residence at Lok Kalyan Marg, highlighting the crucial role of teachers in shaping children’s academic, social and personal development.

A total of 82 teachers and educators have been selected for this year’s National Teachers Awards across three departments. The awardees include 48 teachers from the Department of School Education and Literacy, 21 teachers and faculty members from Higher Educational Institutions and Polytechnics, and 13 skill trainers from the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

During the interaction, the awardees shared experiences from their teaching journeys and discussed innovative methods they have adopted to make classroom learning more engaging and effective.

PM Modi Urges Teachers to Remain Alert to Drug Addiction

Prime Minister Modi stressed that teachers should look beyond the academic performance of students and pay attention to their behaviour, habits and everyday lives.

Referring to changes in the traditional joint-family structure, he said teachers have an increasingly important role in children’s lives. He particularly urged teachers to remain alert to signs of drug addiction among young students, understand the reasons behind such behaviour and help affected children overcome the habit.

Teachers Asked to Help Children Reduce Screen Time

Excessive screen use among children was another major concern highlighted by the Prime Minister.

He encouraged teachers to engage with parents and discuss how much time children spend on screens, including whether they continue using mobile phones late at night.

According to the Prime Minister, children can gradually move away from excessive screen use by developing greater interest in sports, physical games and creative activities.

Focus on Preserving Childhood and Curiosity

PM Modi also emphasised the importance of preserving the innocence of childhood. He said children possess a natural curiosity and that teachers can make a significant contribution by nurturing and appropriately channelising it.

He encouraged teachers to create an environment where children can explore, ask questions and develop their abilities beyond conventional classroom learning.

Connecting Education with Real-World Skills

Referring to the National Education Policy (NEP), the Prime Minister stressed the importance of taking learning beyond the classroom and connecting students with real-world skills and different forms of work.

He urged teachers not to restrict education to syllabus-based knowledge but also to inculcate values such as the dignity of labour among students.

The interaction provided an opportunity for National Teachers Award winners to share their grassroots experiences and innovative teaching practices while discussing ways to make education more engaging and relevant for the next generation.

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