Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Modi Urges Teachers to Tackle Student Drugs and Screen Time
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with teachers who received national awards.
He asked them to watch for signs that students may be affected by drugs.
He also said teachers should help children spend less time on phones and other screens.
Sports, outdoor games, and creative activities can help with this.
Modi said teachers should pay attention to students’ behavior, not just their grades.
He wants teachers to protect childhood and encourage curiosity.
He asked teachers to talk with parents about screen use, including late-night phone use.
He also wants learning to include real-world skills outside textbooks.
This year, 82 teachers and educators were chosen for the National Teachers Awards.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged teachers to watch for drug addiction and behavioral changes among students.
He asked teachers to help reduce excessive screen time through sports, physical activities, and creative pursuits.
Modi said teachers should look beyond academic performance and preserve students’ childhood and curiosity.
He encouraged teachers to involve parents and connect classroom learning with real-world skills.
A total of 82 teachers and educators were selected for this year’s National Teachers Awards.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and national award-winning teachers.
- What
- Modi urged teachers to address student drug addiction, excessive screen time, behavioral changes, and the need to preserve childhood and curiosity.
- When
- The interaction took place on Friday, the eve of Teachers’ Day; a video was released on Saturday.
- Where
- At the prime minister’s Lok Kalyan Marg residence in New Delhi.
- Why
- Modi said teachers should take a broader role in students’ lives by supporting their well-being, encouraging healthy activities, and connecting learning with real-world skills.
- National Teachers Awards
- A total of 82 teachers and educators were selected this year.
- Award breakdown
- The selections included 48 teachers from the Department of School Education and Literacy, 21 teachers or faculty members from higher educational institutions and polytechnics, and 13 skill trainers.
- Drug awareness
- Modi asked teachers to initiate awareness efforts and closely observe behavioral changes in students.
- Screen time
- He recommended sports, physical games, and creative activities to help reduce children’s screen use.
- Parental involvement
- Teachers were asked to speak with parents about children’s screen time and late-night mobile-phone use.
- National Education Policy
- Modi referred to the policy’s emphasis on taking students outside classrooms and connecting them with real-world skills and forms of work.
- Breast cancer awareness
- Modi praised a teacher who promoted breast cancer awareness and referred to a screening campaign launched in Varanasi.
