PM Modi Urges Teachers to Tackle Drug Abuse, Excessive Screen Time in Students
PM Modi met National Teachers Award winners, urging them to address student drug abuse, excessive screen time, and nurture curiosity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the 82 recipients of the National Teachers Awards at his residence on Lok Kalyan Marg. The awardees, selected from three departments, shared their innovative teaching methods and experiences from their classrooms.
The group includes 48 teachers from the Department of School Education and Literacy, 21 faculty members from higher education institutions and polytechnics, and 13 skill trainers from the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
During the interaction, the Prime Minister emphasized that teachers must look beyond students' academic performance and pay close attention to their behavior and daily lives. He noted that with the decline of the traditional joint family system, teachers now play an increasingly vital role in a child's upbringing.
Addressing the issue of substance abuse, PM Modi called on teachers to stay alert to behavioral changes in students, identify the root causes, and help them overcome addiction. He also stressed the importance of preserving childhood innocence and nurturing the natural curiosity that all children possess.
On the topic of digital well-being, the Prime Minister highlighted excessive screen time as a major concern. He urged teachers to counsel parents about children's late-night mobile phone usage and suggested steering young people toward sports, physical games, and creative activities as healthier alternatives.
Referring to the National Education Policy, PM Modi underscored the need to take learning beyond the classroom and connect children with real-world skills. He also encouraged teachers to instill values such as the dignity of labor, moving beyond mere syllabus completion.