Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the winners of the National Teachers Awards at his residence on September 4, 2026. The Ministry of Education, along with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, selected 82 teachers and educators for this honour. The interaction brought together outstanding educators from schools, colleges and skill training centres across the country.
Who received the awards and what was discussed
The National Teachers Awards recognised:
- 48 teachers from the Department of School Education and Literacy
- 21 teachers and faculty members from higher educational institutions and polytechnics
- 13 skill trainers from the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
The awardees shared innovative teaching methods they have used to make learning more engaging and effective in their classrooms. During the meeting, the Prime Minister raised several concerns he believes teachers must address beyond academics. He highlighted that teachers should watch for signs of drug use among students and help those struggling with addiction. He also expressed worry about how much time children spend on screens and mobile devices, particularly late at night.
The Prime Minister stressed that teachers should help preserve childhood innocence and encourage children’s natural curiosity through proper guidance. He urged educators to speak with parents about screen time habits and suggested that sports, physical games and creative activities could help reduce excessive device use among young people. He also called for connecting classroom learning to real world skills and work, in line with the National Education Policy, while instilling values like the dignity of labour in students.
What this means for you
If you are a teacher, the recognition of these 82 educators highlights what your ministry values: going beyond syllabus delivery to shape children’s overall development, character and wellbeing. The Prime Minister’s emphasis suggests schools should now pay closer attention to students’ behaviour, family situations and habits, not just exam marks. Parents may expect teachers to initiate conversations about their child’s screen usage and involvement in physical or creative activities.