National Education Day is observed on November 11th every year since 2008 to celebrate the birth anniversary of 1st education minister of independent India Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, from August 15th, 1947 to February 2nd, 1958.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, born on November 11th, 1888 and passed away on February 22nd, 1958, was a prominent leader of the Indian freedom movement.
He was also an acclaimed scholar and poet. In 1947, he was appointed as the 1st Minister for Education in independent India and was included in the Constituent Assembly responsible for drafting India’s Constitution.
During his time as Minister for Education, Maulana Azad initiated numerous measures to promote primary and secondary education, scientific education, the establishment of universities, and research opportunities.
Maulana Azad played a significant role in the establishment of the Indian Institutes of Technology.
Maulana Azad’s contributions to education and social upliftment have been invaluable to India’s economic and social development. In recognition of Maulana Azad’s outstanding service to the nation, he was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, in 1992.
History of National Education Day
In recognition of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s significant contribution to education in India, the Ministry of Human Resource Development declared November 11th as ‘National Education Day’ on September 11th, 2008.
The Ministry’s announcement stated that the birthday of this eminent Indian leader would be commemorated annually as a day to honour his contribution to education in the country.
Although it is not declared as a holiday, November 11th has been celebrated as National Education Day every year since 2008.
10 famous Quotes of Abul Kalam Azad
- Do we not realise that self-respect comes with self-alliance
- Teaching by tongue can be perspired but by good deed can stay stronger
- Climbing the top demand strength, even it is to the highest of Mount Everest or even to the top of your career
- Education imparted by the heart can bring new revolution in society
- The foundation of India’s progress is not mere political freedom, but the living faith that it is the birthright of every individual.”
- “Education is the manifest destiny of India”
- “The story of India’s freedom struggle is not just a story of great leaders and their movements, but it is also a story of millions of ordinary men and women who fought for their rights and their dignity.”
- The power of imagination makes us infinite.”
- “The ultimate aim of the human race is to have a society full of peace and harmony.”
- “Educationists should be able to build the creative spaces for inquiry, morality, and leadership for students and become role models for them to follow”.
What were Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s views on education?
Maulana considered schools as laboratories for producing brilliant minds of the future, and emphasized the importance of education for women, introducing vocational and technical training for students. Education was at the core of Maulana’s beliefs, and he envisioned India as a nation with high educational standards and legendary minds. He worked to establish a uniform national standard of education, and believed that every individual had a right to at least basic education. As India’s first Education Minister, he made primary education a free and compulsory right for all children up to the age of 14, stating that it was every citizen’s birthright to receive basic education in order to fulfill their duties as citizens.
5th International Day Theme for 2023
Under the theme of “to invest in people, prioritize education,” the fifth International Day of Education will be celebrated on January 24, 2023. This year’s celebration will capitalize on the worldwide impetus generated by the UN Transforming Education Summit held in September 2022.
It will urge for the maintenance of strong political mobilization regarding education and pave the way for turning commitments and global initiatives into concrete actions. Given the global recession, growing inequalities, and the climate crisis, education must be prioritized to hasten progress towards achieving all the Sustainable Development Goals.
The year 2023 signifies the halfway point since the UN adopted the 2030 Agenda, which comprises 17 interconnected goals for people, the planet, and prosperity.
The SDG Summit will review these goals in September, with an emphasis on the theme of investing in people.
What are the ways in which we can celebrate National Education Day?
Across the nation, on November 11, schools, colleges, institutions, and universities commemorate Maulana Abul Kalam Azad by observing National Education Day.
In accordance with the directives of the University Grants Commission, seminars, workshops, essay writing, symposia, elocution competitions, and rallies with banners, slogans, cards, charts, etc. are organized by all educational institutions.
The objective behind conducting these activities is to raise awareness about the significance of education for every person.