National Education Day 2021: Why is it celebrated on November 11?

NEW DELHI: National Education Day is celebrated every year on November 11 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first education minister of India. His contribution to establishing the education foundation in India is recognised by celebrating his birthday as National Education Day

National Education Day 2021: History

The first National Education Day was celebrated on November 11, 2008. It was on September 11, 2008, the ministry of human resource development announced, "The Ministry has decided to commemorate the birthday of this great son of India by recalling his contribution to the cause of education in India. November 11 every year, from 2008 onwards, will be celebrated as the National Education Day."

Schools, colleges and other educational institutions in the country mark the day with seminars, symposia, essay-writing, workshops and poster-making.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad served as the first education minister of independent India from August 15, 1947, to February 2, 1958. He was also a freedom fighter, a scholar and a senior political leader of Jawaharlal Nehru’s government.

The day is also seen as an occasion to remember Azad's contribution in laying the foundations of the education system in an independent India, and evaluating and improving the country's current performance in the field.

National Education Day 2021

On this occasion, Vice President, M. Venkaiah Naidu said, “My tributes to great freedom fighter, nationalist & educationist, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad on his birth anniversary. He strove to promote national unity & value-based education. He will always be remembered for his invaluable role in India's freedom struggle. #MaulanaAbulKalamAzad.”

My tributes to great freedom fighter, nationalist & educationist, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad on his birth anniversary. He strove to promote national unity & value-based education. He will always be remembered for his invaluable role in India's freedom struggle. #MaulanaAbulKalamAzad pic.twitter.com/YBpJK8g1eT

— Vice President of India (@VPSecretariat) November 11, 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Tributes to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad on his Jayanti. A pathbreaking thinker and intellectual, his role in the freedom struggle is inspiring. He was passionate about the education sector and worked to further brotherhood in society.”

Tributes to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad on his Jayanti. A pathbreaking thinker and intellectual, his role in the freedom struggle is inspiring. He was passionate about the education sector and worked to further brotherhood in society.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2021