Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday interacted with winners of the National Teachers’ Awards 2026 and urged teachers to take a more active role in addressing challenges faced by children, including excessive screen use and drug awareness.
During the interaction at his official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi, teachers shared their experiences, teaching methods and efforts to help students develop their skills and interests.
PM Modi on reducing children’s screen time
Modi stressed the need to help children reduce screen time, which he described as having become a form of addiction for many.
He said cutting down on screen use could encourage children to take greater interest in sports and outdoor activities. He clarified that he was referring to playing on the field rather than video games.
The Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of creativity, suggesting that schools organise activities and events that allow students to explore their interests beyond academics.
‘Get out of books, get into lives of children’
Modi also raised concerns about drug use in educational institutions and urged teachers to create greater awareness among students.
He asked teachers to observe behavioural changes in children and understand whether a student may be experiencing fear or other difficulties.
The Prime Minister urged educators to look beyond textbooks and prescribed syllabi and become more closely involved in students’ lives.
He also stressed the importance of preserving childhood and giving children opportunities to explore, learn and develop outside the classroom.
PM Modi asks teachers to identify hidden talents
During the interaction, teachers discussed innovative ways of helping students develop confidence and discover their interests.
One teacher spoke about an approach in which students interview their parents at home. The teacher said students at the school aspire to become reporters.
Another teacher explained how Chemistry lessons were combined with environmental education and activities designed to improve students’ public-speaking skills.
Modi asked whether teachers also focus on children who may not perform strongly in academics.
A teacher said educators try to identify every student’s individual qualities, talents and challenges, noting that children have different strengths and require different kinds of support.
Teacher highlights role of Eklavya schools
One of the award-winning teachers thanked the Prime Minister for the opening of Eklavya Model Residential Schools.
The teacher said the schools were helping first-generation learners and giving children from families with little or no previous exposure to formal education an opportunity to pursue ambitions such as studying at NITs, IITs and medical colleges.
Breast cancer awareness also discussed
Another teacher shared her work on breast cancer awareness and spoke about the difficulties in encouraging women to discuss the issue and seek medical advice.
She highlighted the importance of primary screening and helping women recognise when they may need medical attention.
Modi recalled an awareness initiative in Kashi, his parliamentary constituency, aimed at encouraging breast cancer screening. He said greater awareness had helped more women come forward for check-ups.
The interaction formed part of the Teachers’ Day 2026 celebrations, with the Prime Minister using the occasion to underline the broader role teachers can play in students’ education, wellbeing, creativity and personal development.
