National Education Day

November 11 has been celebrated as the National Education Day since 2008. The date has been chosen to commemorate the birth anniversary of independent India’s first education minister – Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.

Post India’s independence, the learned turned their focus to education as they knew it would be a fundamental pillar in nation building. Speaking at All India Education on January 16, 1948, Abul Kalam said, “We must not for a moment forget, it is a birthright of every individual to receive at least the basic education without which he can’t fully discharge his duties as a citizen.

An academician and a freedom fighter, he was given the charge of the Education Minister for Free India. At the time, India though free, was reeling through the years of exploitation and the nation was suffering from widespread illiteracy.

Understanding the fundamental role education plays in the development of the nation, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad as the chairman of Central Advisory Board of Education, gave impetus to Adult Education and Literacy. Not only did he lay emphasis on elementary education but also propagated diversification of secondary education and vocational training.

The freedom fighter and visionary was responsible not only for streamlining the education system in the country but also foreseeing the start of the first ever Indian Institute of Technology, IIT in India in 1951. The man was also responsible for setting up of The Central Institute of Education, Delhi which later became the Department of Education of Delhi University.

The setting up of the University Grants Commission in 1953 is all credited to his vision. He was also the primary propagator of Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and Faculty of Technology of Delhi University and a founder of Jamia Millia Islamia University.