New Delhi, 05 September (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged teachers to pay attention not only to students’ academic performance and achievements but also to their behaviour, daily routines and mental well-being. He particularly called on teachers to remain vigilant about the growing tendency towards substance abuse among children and excessive screen use.

The Prime Minister was interacting with teachers and educationists honoured with the National Teachers’ Awards at his residence at Lok Kalyan Marg on Friday evening. The programme was organised a day ahead of Teachers’ Day and was attended by 82 award recipients this year. They included 48 school teachers, 21 teachers from higher educational institutions and polytechnics, and 13 skill trainers.

Modi said a teacher’s responsibility is not confined merely to completing the prescribed curriculum. Teachers should be able to identify changes in students’ behaviour and provide individual guidance whenever necessary.

He said that with the traditional joint-family system gradually weakening, the role of teachers in children’s lives has become more important than ever. In such circumstances, teachers need to increase communication with students and try to understand the underlying reasons behind the problems they may be facing.

The Prime Minister made a particular reference to the growing tendency towards substance abuse among children. He said teachers should keep an eye on sudden changes in students’ behaviour and, if signs of substance use are noticed, help guide the child in the right direction and support them in overcoming the problem.

He also stressed the need for greater vigilance regarding excessive screen use among children.

Modi emphasised that children’s natural curiosity should not be suppressed but instead channelled in the right direction. He said it was important to preserve their innocence and enthusiasm for learning.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of instilling a sense of dignity of labour among students as an important responsibility of teachers. He said children should be taught the value of hard work and respect for every form of honest work.

During the interaction, the National Teachers’ Award recipients shared their teaching experiences with the Prime Minister. They spoke about various innovations and experiments they had undertaken to make classroom teaching more effective, engaging and useful for students.

Appreciating these efforts, Modi said education is not limited to books and examinations. Teachers play a crucial role in shaping the overall personality of children and helping build their future.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar