NEW DELHI, Sept 5: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged teachers to raise awareness among students about the dangers of drug abuse and encourage them to reduce their screen time.
Interacting with national award-winning teachers on the eve of Teachers’ Day, Modi emphasised that society as a whole must encourage children to engage in creative activities and meaningful pursuits.
He said teachers should look beyond the academic performance of students and pay close attention to their behaviour, habits and day-to-day lives.
The Prime Minister noted that teachers have an increasingly important role in children's lives, particularly as joint family systems are becoming less common.
Speaking about drug abuse, Modi said the problem can be difficult to detect in large cities and universities, where it may not always be clear who is supplying drugs to whom.
In such circumstances, he urged teachers to take the lead in creating awareness about the harmful effects of drugs and remain alert to any noticeable changes in students' behaviour.
Modi also stressed the importance of preserving childhood and said teachers can make a significant contribution towards ensuring that children continue to enjoy their formative years.
"You should not allow the childhood of a student to die. The biggest contribution can be given by the teachers for keeping childhood alive in students' lives," he said.
A video of the interaction was released on Saturday.
