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National Education Day 2023: Every year in India, 11 November is celebrated as National Education Day. This day is dedicated to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first education minister of independent India. People celebrate the birth anniversary of the country’s great freedom fighter, scholar and renowned educationist Abul Kalam Azad as National Education Day. The biggest objective of celebrating National Teachers Day is to make people aware of the right to education and the importance of education. Every year many types of programs are organized in all schools and colleges on 11th November. On this day students and teachers share their views towards the importance of literacy and various aspects of education. Many types of seminars and workshops are organized. Essay, speech, poster making competitions are organized in various schools.
Maulana Azad was born in Mecca
After independence, Azad knew very well how important good education is in nation building and development of the country. In such a situation, Maulana Abul Kalam took many big steps to bring modern education system in the country. Today, on National Education Day, the excellent work done by him in the field of education is remembered. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was born on 11 November 1888 in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. His full name was Abul Kalam Mohiuddin Ahmed. His father Khairuddin used to live in Delhi. But before the revolt of 1857 he had moved to Saudi Arabia. Khairuddin returned to India with his family in 1895 and settled in Calcutta. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad adopted ‘Azad’ as his surname.
When did National Education Day start?
On 11 September 2008, the Central Government had announced to celebrate the birth anniversary of Abul Kalam Azad on 11 November as National Education Day. Since then, National Education Day is celebrated on 11 November in all the educational institutions of the country.
Many institutions including IIT, IISc, UGC were established during his tenure.
The Ministry of Education established the country’s first IIT institute in 1951 under the leadership of Azad. After this, the University Grants Commission (UGC) was created in 1953. IISc and School of Planning and Architecture were formed during his tenure. He believed that these institutions would prove important in the higher education sector of India in future. The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the Secondary Education Commission were also established during his tenure. He also played an important role in the establishment of the famous Jamia Millia Islamia University in the country. He formed the Sahitya Academy for the development of literature, the Sangeet Natak Academy for the development of Indian music and dance, and the Lalit Kala Academy for the development of painting.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, in 1992.
National Education Day 2023 Theme: What is the theme this time?
Every year the theme of National Education Day is decided by the Ministry of Education. This year’s theme is – Embracing Innovation. This theme emphasizes the importance of encouraging creative, advanced methods of teaching reading. The theme of the year 2022 was Changing Course, Transforming Education.