While interacting with the national award-winning teachers Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged them to stay vigilant against student drug addiction and help children tackle excessive screen time through sports, physical play, and creative activities, and preserve their childhood.
The Prime Minister’s call for teachers to remain vigilant against drug addiction among students deserves particular attention. Drug abuse can destroy young lives, undermine families and weaken the social fabric.
Schools are among the first places where behavioural changes, declining academic performance, withdrawal or unhealthy peer influences may become visible. Teachers, therefore, must be equipped to recognise early warning signs and create an environment in which children feel comfortable seeking help. Prevention, awareness and timely counselling should become an integral part of school education.
Equally significant is the concern over excessive screen time. Technology has transformed learning and opened enormous opportunities for children, but uncontrolled use of smartphones, gaming platforms and social media can reduce physical activity, affect concentration and limit meaningful social interaction.
The answer, however, is not simply to keep children away from technology. Schools and families must teach children to use technology responsibly while ensuring that digital engagement does not replace real-life experiences.
The Prime Minister’s emphasis on sports, physical play and creative activities provides a practical way forward. Every school should strive to provide children with opportunities to participate in outdoor games, athletics, cultural programmes, art, music, debates and other activities. Such engagement develops teamwork, discipline, creativity and emotional resilience. It also gives children healthier avenues to express themselves and build friendships.
His appeal to teachers to “preserve childhood” is perhaps the most profound aspect of the message. Childhood should not become an endless race for marks, examinations and digital entertainment. Children need time to play, ask questions, experiment, make mistakes and discover their interests.
Their natural curiosity must be nurtured rather than suppressed by excessive academic pressure.
Teachers can make classrooms more engaging by adopting creative approaches that encourage participation rather than passive learning. Storytelling, experiments, discussions, projects, field activities and technology-assisted lessons can transform the classroom into a space of discovery. When students become active participants in learning, education becomes more meaningful and memorable.
The Prime Minister’s message also highlights the need for a stronger partnership between teachers, parents and society. No school can address drug abuse, excessive screen time or emotional challenges in isolation. Parents must monitor digital habits without becoming overly restrictive, while teachers should maintain open communication with families. |
