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National Education Day is annually celebrated in India on 11th November to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, who was the first education minister of the Republic of India. The National Education Day 2023 theme is ‘To invest in people, prioritize education.’
Before becoming the Education Minister, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad played a pivotal role in India’s freedom struggle against the cruel British rule. The purpose of observing this day is to raise awareness about the importance of education at both individual and national levels. Stay tuned to learn more about this important national event.
| Event | National Education Day 2023 |
| Date | 11th November 2023 |
| Theme | ‘To invest in people, prioritize education.’ |
| Objective | To raise awareness about the importance of education for the development of a person and the nation |
| To Honour | Maulana Abul Kalam Azad |
Table of Contents
Also Read: Maulana Azad National Scholarship for Girls
History
On 11th Sept 2008, the Ministry of Human Resource Development announced to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad for his great contribution to the education system of India. His birthday, 11th November was celebrated with events at the school level where students were taught about the importance of education in our lives and how it can shape the future of an individual and the country.
Every year on 11th November, educational institutions in India organise essay-writing and elocution competitions, seminars, symposia, workshops and rallies with their commitment to all aspects of education. Moreover, this day reminds the youth about the contributions of Maulana Abul Kalam Azan in the development of India’s education system and literacy rate.
Who Was Maulana Abul Kalam Azad?
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was an Indian activist and Islamic theologian and a senior leader of the Indian National Congress (INC); serving its presidency from 1940 to 1945. During the pre-independence era, he actively participated in India’s national movements and was named the leader of the Khilafat Movement. He was well-versed in Urdu poetry and published journals against the British Raj.
He was one of the founding fathers of the Jamia Millia Islamia in Aligarh, UP, which was established without any financial support from the British government. Later on, in 19,34, Jamia Millia Islamia was shifted to New Delhi and the one in Aligarh was renamed as Aligarh Muslim University.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was in close contact with Mahatma Gandhi and was an enthusiastic supporter of his ideologies of non-violence and non-cooperation movements. During the Salt Satyagraha in 1930, he became one of the main organizers of the Dharsana Satyagraha and worked towards Hindu-Muslim unity, secularism and socialism.
Must Read: Maulana Azad Scholarship
National Education Day 2023 Theme
The National Education Day 2023 theme is ‘To invest in people, prioritize education.’ The Ministry of Human Resource Development every year releases a unique theme for this day, where educators are encouraged to teach these moral messages to their students. The table below highlights the themes of some of the previous years’ National Education Day.
| Year | Theme |
| 2022 | Changing Course, Transforming Education |
| 2021 | Recover and Revitalize Education for the COVID-19 Generation |
| 2020 | Stresses the core values and principle that education must develop not only cognitive skills |
| 2019 | Changing Course, Transforming Education |
Significance
National Education Day is a significant day in India due to several reasons. This day honours the contributions and legacy of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, who was a visionary educationist and played a crucial role in shaping India’s education system. His efforts to reform India’s education system and promote education had a significant impact on India’s literacy rate.
- This day reminds us about the fundamental right to education for all citizens, irrespective of their socio-economic background.
- It serves as an opportunity to address the challenges related to illiteracy and promote initiatives for enhancing literacy rates across the country.
- The day encourages the development of educational infrastructure, policies, and practices that foster inclusive and equitable education.
- It aims to inspire the creation of an enabling environment that promotes lifelong learning and skill development.
- It is also a source of inspiration for the youth, motivating them to recognize the transformative power of education and encouraging them to actively participate in the pursuit of knowledge and learning.
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FAQs
A1. National Education Day is celebrated on 11th November to commemorate the birth anniversary of India’s First Education Minister, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
A2. The National Education Day 2023 theme is ‘To invest in people, prioritize education.’ The Ministry of Human Resource Development every year releases a unique theme for this day, where educators are encouraged to teach these moral messages to their students. The table below highlights the themes of some of the previous years’ National Education Day.
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