National Education Day – 11 November 2020
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was a great freedom fighter of India. His contribution to the country in times of freedom struggle was immense. He was a great patriotic and fought for the cause of education. India celebrates the birthday of Maulana Azad as National Education Day. It falls on November 11th every year. Maulana Azad has the most significant recognition as he served Independent India as its first education minister.
He served for an extended period as the Minister of Education from 1947 to 1958. National Education Day is observed to applaud and recognise Maulana Azad’s efforts in reviving the education system in our country post-independence. This article is a detailed write up about National Education Day 2020, its history, importance, themes, significance and relevant FAQs.
National Education Day – History
The first and foremost celebration of National Education Day was formally announced in the year 2008. From the same year onwards, the Central Ministry started celebrations on the birth anniversary of Maulana Azad and declared it as National Education Day. The government also made a declaration that celebrations would continue in the country without declaring the day as a national holiday. Let us now recall the historical contributions of Maulana Azad in developing an excellent educational system in India.
Maulana Azad played the frontier role in establishing a national level institutional structure for the citizens of our country. Maulana Azad flew high in ambitions by extending scholastic scope from elementary education to higher and specialised learning too. He laid the foundation stone of UGC or University Grants Commission which is one of the premier educational institutions in the country providing a host of educational programs and courses through different modes of study.
UGC caters to every student of the country in various methods of learning. Interestingly, Maulana Azad was convinced for the role of Central Education minister by both Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. He was chosen for the role of former leader C. Rajagopalachari.
He led his role with great enthusiasm and passion from 1947 till his death in 1958. During his tenure, he established many institutions of importance like UGC, AICTE [ All India Council for Technical Education], Institute of Higher Education [Kharagpur], University Education Commission, Secondary Education Commission, Jamia Millia Islamia and IIT Kharagpur.
Importance of National Education Day 2020
Education is one of the fundamental human rights bestowed to all citizens by our own Constitution. The Right to Education entitles every citizen of India to receive formal training from a world-class educational institution. Without knowledge, the society we live in cannot progress. Countries that have high rates of literates and educated citizens commonly have higher rates of progress and development. Education is one of the primary needs of a person that opens doors to a world of opportunities. The government has taken enormous steps to improve the literacy scene in our country.
The literacy rates in the post-independence era and current figures show a remarkable and drastic improvement. People have realised the importance of education in every person’s life. Rural training and education of women suffered even after many years of Indian independence. With greater awareness and promotion of education through government schemes and campaigns, these rates have increased too!
National Education Day is an essential day in the history of India’s progress. It is remarkable for two reasons. It marks the birth anniversary of Maulana Azad and places importance on the improvement of the national education system in the country. According to Mr Kalam, education is not just a birthright of every individual but is a necessity without which a person can’t appropriately tend to work towards his duties. Maulana Azad served the country under the Education minister portfolio at a time when the country was genuinely filled with an abundance of illiteracy. People were living as the remnants of years of exploitation, and thus their mindsets had a changed constitution.
National Education Day 2020 Themes
Education is the central theme of celebration for National Education Day. Every year, the day does not see attachment of explicit, changing themes of celebration. However, every school sets aside a different series of celebrations to mark the day. Every year the Ministry of HRD sets a plan of events to celebrate the birth anniversary of Maulana Azad and to remember his contributions to the field of education.
Some of the common areas stressed upon to highlight the day’s importance include “ Education of women”, “Compulsory universal primary education”, “the importance of vocational education”, “free and fair education for all children till the age of 14” and “ making technical education affordable to the masses”. The present governments live by Maulana Azad’s foresight of inculcating modern sciences and contemporary ways of teaching methodologies in imparting education to the country.
Greater focus on women’s education is highly necessary for the progress and development of a nation. The Central government strives to establish more number of premier institutes of excellence, drawing inspiration from Maulana Azad’s efforts and vision to set up higher institutions of learning during his period.
National Education Day 2020 Celebrations
Every educational institution in our country fondly remembers the great leader Maulana Azad on his birth anniversary or National Education Day. Some of the popular events of celebration include debates, quizzes, essay writing competitions. Workshops are conducted by schools and government set-ups for the benefit of teaching communities. Elocution competitions and lectures on Maulana Azad’s contribution to our nation are also staged.
Rallies and campaigns to spread the importance of education to the masses are carried out, especially in rural areas. Press conferences are conducted by the Central Ministry to highlight their contributions to teaching and learning during the past year. Distribution of informative books and pamphlets on Maulana Azad’s life and works are taken through by volunteers.
Film shows on the present scenario of education in our country, together with the transformation of education by digital means are screened in many places. Many children who have achieved a remarkable feat in their studies and courses are recognised. Teachers who have made a distinctive difference in their students’ lives are awarded recognition. Dignitaries from various sectors are invited to preside over for the day’s events at many schools and government educational organisations to make the day memorable.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is National Education Day?
National Education Day is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Maulana Azad, a great freedom fighter and champion of education after independence in India. The day focuses on the need for promoting literacy and education.
2. When was the National Education Day observed for the first time in India?
On September 11th 2008, the ministry of HRD made a formal announcement about observing National Education from that year onwards. Hence on November 11th 2008, National Education Day was celebrated for the first time in India.
3. Why is Education Day celebrated in Nepal?
Education Day is celebrated on September 8th every year in Nepal. It coincides with the date of International Literacy Day, organised by UNESCO. The day highlights the importance of education for individuals, societies and communities.
4. What is the importance of November 11th?
November 11th marks the birth anniversary of Maulana Azad. He was the first education minister of independent India. Maulana Azad was instrumental in implementing educational reforms within the country.
5. How do we celebrate Education Day?
Education Day is celebrated by hosting lectures, symposiums, debate and quiz competitions, essay writing competitions and film shows.
6. What is the main objective of National Education Day?
The central vision if National Education Day is to make India a whole literate nation. The goal of the day is to make elementary education compulsory to all children and promote higher levels of learning.
7. What is the theme for National Education Day 2020?
The theme for National Education 2020 is undecided as yet by the Ministry of HRD. It shall be declared to the public in due course of time.
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