National Education Day was observed across the country on today (Nov 11), with political leaders, educationists and industry stakeholders reaffirming the need for an inclusive, equitable and future-ready education system. The occasion, commemorating the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, India’s first Education Minister, also prompted calls for strengthening learning outcomes, integrating technology into education and equipping students with the skills and values needed to navigate a rapidly changing world.
Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi, in his National Education Day message, said the occasion was an opportunity to reaffirm the country’s commitment to building an education system that is inclusive, equitable and future-ready. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India was advancing towards an education framework that nurtures innovation, strengthens skills and empowers every learner to contribute to national progress.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also extended greetings to students, teachers, educators and all those working to shape young minds and build an enlightened nation. He paid rich tributes to Bharat Ratna Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, whose birth anniversary on November 11 is observed as National Education Day.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, in his message on social media, described education as the foundation on which every dream is built. He highlighted efforts to improve classrooms and modernise learning spaces in Assam’s schools, saying these initiatives were aimed at creating an environment in which every child could learn, grow and realise their full potential.
Though Union Education Ministry didn’t put any official statement, I & B Ministry and several government departments including NCERT & NCTE of the MoE acknowledged the day.
Beyond the political messages, education-sector leaders used the occasion to underline the need to move beyond enrolment figures and access to education towards measurable learning outcomes, employability, technological integration and holistic development.
Ranjita Raman, CEO, Jaro Education, said India’s education sector was at an important inflection point, with the focus needing to shift from student enrolment and the expansion of online programmes to the actual learning outcomes and real-world capabilities acquired by learners.
She emphasised the importance of combining technology with academic rigour, credible university partnerships and curricula aligned with changing industry requirements.
Saurabh Mittal, CFO, S Chand Group, said National Education Day served as a reminder that education must go beyond access to classrooms and focus on creating informed, capable and empowered citizens. Referring to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s vision, he emphasised that education was essential not only for acquiring knowledge but also for developing awareness, critical thinking and an understanding of society and civic responsibilities.
He pointed to the emergence of a more integrated learning ecosystem in which print, digital platforms and artificial intelligence complement one another to make education engaging, personalised and accessible.
Rati Chugh, Principal, Delhi Public School, Sector 45, Gurugram, stressed that education should not be confined to knowledge acquisition and academic excellence but must nurture responsible, compassionate and confident individuals capable of contributing meaningfully to society.
She called for learning environments that encourage curiosity, critical thinking, creativity and lifelong learning. In a rapidly evolving world, she said, education must move beyond textbooks and examinations to equip students with the skills, values and adaptability required to face future challenges. She also highlighted the role of teachers as facilitators who inspire students to question, explore, innovate and discover their potential.
Shiladitya Ghosh, Deputy Director, Peepul, said India had made significant progress in expanding access to education, but the next priority must be improving learning outcomes in classrooms.
He stressed that every child should be able to read with comprehension, think critically and apply what they learn, irrespective of their socio-economic background or geographical location. Achieving this, he said, would require sustained investment in foundational learning, stronger academic support systems and greater empowerment of teachers. He also called for strengthening public education systems to ensure equitable access to quality education and opportunities for every child.
