New Delhi: Educational institutions at all levels across the country will celebrate November 11 as the 'National Education Day', commemorating the birthday of Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad, an eminent educationist and the first Union Minister of Education of independent India.

As India's Education Minister, Azad oversaw the establishment of a national education system with free primary education and modern institutions of higher education.

He is also credited with the foundation of the University Grants Commission (UGC), an important institution to supervise and advance higher education in the nation.

Seminars, symposia, essay-writing, elocution competitions, workshops and rallies with banner cards and slogans on the importance of literacy and nation's commitment to all aspects of education will be organized in educational institutions across the country on the National Education Day.

The Ministry of Human Resource Development, had on September 11, 2008 announced, "The Ministry has decided to commemorate the birthday of this great son of India by recalling his contribution to the cause of education in India. November 11 every year, from 2008 onwards, will be celebrated as the National Education Day, without declaring it a holiday".

The Ministry's announcement further said, "The focus of activities on the 'National Education Day' would be on the various initiatives taken under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA); in setting up model schools in secondary education; on the various initiatives taken in higher secondary education; and in vocational and higher education sectors by the Central Government on its own; and in partnership with state governments, as well as through private public partnership".

"These initiatives would be projected in association with various industry bodies, whose fullest cooperation also would be sought in the development of human resources in the country", it added.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has also asked all its affiliated schools to celebrate the day in a befitting manner by organizing various activities like seminars, symposia, essay writing, elocution competitions etc.

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