National Education Day is an annual observance in India. since 2008. We celebrate the day on November 11 every year to honor the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first education minister of independent India.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was the first education minister of independent India, who served from 15 August 1947 until 2 February 1958. He played a significant role in shaping the education system of the nation.
The UGC, AICTE, Kharagpur Institute of Higher Education, University Education Commission, and Secondary Education Commission were all established during his administration. He also had a role in the founding of schools like Jamia Millia Islamia and IIT Kharagpur.
History of National Education Day
On September 11, 2008, The Ministry of Education which was then the Ministry of Human Resource Development, decided to designate 11 November as National Education Day to commemorate this great son of India’s birthday by remembering his significant contributions to the cause of education in India.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was a great freedom fighter, eminent educationist, and the first Union Minister of Education (from 15 August 1947 to 2 February 1958). The entire nation pays tribute to the contributions made by him on this day, which is also known as Rashtriya Shiksha Diwas.
Significance of National Education Day
Abul Kalam Ghulam Muhiyuddin Ahmed bin Khairuddin Al-Hussaini Azad was born on 11 November 1888, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia to an Islamic family. He was an Indian independence activist, Islamic theologian, and writer. Azad was the leader of the Khilafat Movement and helped organize the non-cooperation movement in 1919.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad established the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Sahitya Academy, Lalit Kala Academy, Sangeet Natak Academy, and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research in addition to IIT Kharagpur, UGC, and AICTE (CSIR). Additionally, He played a role in the founding of schools like Jamia Millia Islamia and IIT Kharagpur.
Hence, National Education Day, or Rashtriya Shiksha Diwas is celebrated to pay tribute to all the significant contributions made by Maulana Abul Azad in the stream of the education system of Independent India.
National Education Day 2022 Theme;
This year, Education Day will be celebrated on Friday, 11th November. The National Education Day 2022 Theme is “Changing Course, Transforming Education.” This theme emphasizes that the school system has to be improved and made more contemporary.
How to celebrate National Education Day?
On this day, various campaigns and programs are organized to bring awareness about education. Educational institutions observe the day with seminars, symposia, essay writing, elocution competitions, workshops, and rallies with banner cards and slogans on the importance of literacy.
To pay tribute to Abul Kalam Azad PM Narendra Modi has said, “Tributes to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad on his Jayanti. A path-breaking thinker and intellectual, his role in the freedom struggle is inspiring. He was passionate about the education sector and worked to further brotherhood in society.”
National Education Day Quotes by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad;
(I) “Do we not realize that self-respect comes with self-reliance?”
(II) “Education imparted by heart can bring revolution in the society.”
(III) “To succeed in your mission, you must have single-minded devotion to your goal.”
(IV) “Slavery is worst even if it bears beautiful names.”
(V) “Many people plant trees but few of them get the fruit of it.”
(VI) “Climbing to the top demands strength, whether it is to the top of Mount Everest or to the top of your career.”
(VII) “Great dreams of great dreamers are always transcended.”
(VIII) “You have to dream before your dreams can come true.”
(IX) “Be more dedicated to making solid achievements than in running after swift but synthetic happiness.”
(X) “To succeed in your mission, you must have single-minded devotion to your goal.”
(XI) “Teaching by the tongue can be perspired but by good deed can stay stronger.”
(XII) “Educationists should build the capacities of the spirit of inquiry, creativity, entrepreneurial and moral leadership among students and become their role model.”
(XIII) “The minute I heard my first love story, I started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was. Lovers don’t finally meet somewhere. They’re in each other all along.”
(XIV) “We have not invaded anyone. We have not conquered anyone. We have not grabbed their land, their culture, their history and tried to enforce our way of life on them.”
(XV) “Every individual has a right to an education that will enable him to develop his faculties and live a fully human life.”
Frequently Asked Questions on National Education Day
Ans: November 11 is celebrated as Education Day, every year.
Ans: To solemnize the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, independent India’s first minister of education.
Ans: The National Education Day 2022 Theme is “Changing Course, Transforming Education.”