National Education Day 2024: Know Why This Day is Observed on November 11

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first education minister of independent India.

Every year on November 11, India observes National Education Day to honour the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the nation’s first Education Minister. Azad, a visionary in education and a freedom fighter, believed that education was key to individual growth and the nation’s development.

In September 2008, the Government of India officially designated November 11, as National Education Day. This annual observance recognises Azad’s contributions to India’s education system and celebrates his legacy. Azad firmly believed that education was a fundamental right and that it laid the groundwork for social development. The day reminds us of the role education plays in empowering individuals and communities, fostering national progress, and encouraging citizens to make informed choices about their governance.

National Education Day also seeks to highlight how education can uplift society, helping it progress by providing citizens with the skills and knowledge to contribute to national development.

Who was Maulana Abul Kalam Azad?

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was born in Mecca, now a part of Saudi Arabia, on November 11, 1888. He was a freedom fighter, a scholar, and a senior leader in the Indian National Congress. From a young age, Azad showed a keen interest in education and excelled academically. He pursued his studies at the prestigious Al-Azhar University in Cairo.

As India’s first Education Minister, Azad was instrumental in shaping the country’s educational landscape. He laid the foundations of some of the country’s leading educational institutions, including the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the University Grants Commission (UGC). Azad also initiated the establishment of India’s first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) at Kharagpur, setting high standards in technical education.

For his exceptional contributions to education and national service, Azad was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, in 1992. National Education Day not only commemorates Azad’s legacy but also serves as a day to reflect on the importance of education in India’s journey towards progress.