In News:

National Education Day is celebrated annually on November 11 to honor the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, India's first Education Minister and a prominent freedom fighter, scholar, and educator.

Key Highlights:

• Establishment:
  • The observance was instituted by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (now Ministry of Education) in 2008 to recognize Azad’s pivotal contributions to India’s education system and his vision for a progressive, educated society.
• Azad's Contributions to Education:
  • Azad played a significant role in shaping India's post-independence educational landscape, establishing critical institutions such as:
    • University Grants Commission (UGC)
    • All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
    • Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT), including IIT Kharagpur
    • Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)
    • Promoted scientific research, cultural institutions, and technical education.
• Significance of National Education Day:
  • Reflects India’s commitment to promoting quality and inclusive education.
  • Emphasizes the importance of education in empowering individuals and fostering national progress.
  • Highlights educational reforms, literacy, and equal access to education as tools for societal transformation and empowerment.
• Theme for 2024:
  • Although not officially published yet, the theme is expected to focus on inclusive, high-quality education, underlining the need for educational systems that equip students with skills to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
• Focus Areas:
  • Promoting literacy, equal access to education, and educational reforms.
  • Developing critical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence in students.