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In India, National Education Day is celebrated on November 11 each year to honor the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first Education Minister of independent India and a prominent freedom fighter. His full name was Abul Kalam Ghulam Muhiyuddin. On this day, events such as seminars, symposia, essay writing, elocution competitions, workshops, and more are held across the country to promote the importance of education.
“Educationists should build the capacities of the spirit of inquiry, creativity, entrepreneurial and moral leadership among students and become their role model.” – Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
National Education Day Observance
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | November 11 | Monday |
| 2025 | November 11 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | November 11 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | November 11 | Thursday |
| 2028 | November 11 | Saturday |
History of National Education Day
On September 11, 2018, the Ministry of Human Resource Development officially designated this day to commemorate the birthday of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, who served as India’s first Education Minister from August 15, 1947, to February 2, 1958. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad believed that schools are “laboratories to produce future citizens of the country.” He was a strong advocate of primary education, girls’ education, and free education for all children up to the age of 14. To inspire revolutionary thought, he launched a weekly Urdu journal called Al-Hilal in 1912. For his contributions as a freedom fighter and an educationist, he was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, in 1992.
He also established many of India’s major cultural and literary institutions, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi, Lalit Kala Akademi, Sahitya Akademi, and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. Under his leadership, the first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), the School of Planning and Architecture, and the University Grants Commission (UGC) were founded.
The primary aim of National Education Day is to strengthen educational institutions and improve the quality of education in India. It is also a day to honor the contributions of Abul Kalam Azad, who laid the foundation for the education system in independent India. National Education Day serves as an opportunity for people across the country to work towards enhancing the quality of education and raising awareness about the importance of education.
Other Celebrations on November 11
November 11 is also celebrated as
How to Celebrate National Education Day
The best way to celebrate National Education Day is by raising awareness about the importance of education. Schools across the country can organize seminars, symposiums, essay writing and elocution competitions, workshops, and rallies to emphasize the value of education among students. Share your thoughts on social media about the contributions of Abul Kalam Azad and the significance of education, using the hashtag #EducationDay.