Teachers’ Day is celebrated every year in India to recognise teachers’ contribution and influence on students and society. In the future, Teachers’ Day will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026 (the day of the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, one of India’s most celebrated scholars, philosophers, educators and former President).
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born on September 5, 1888, in Tiruttani, which was part of the Madras Presidency. He became an influential philosopher and academic and his work helped to introduce Indian philosophy to the world. He worked in the field of education and in the leadership of various academic and public bodies and his work in education and philosophy was recognised in India and abroad.
Dr. Radhakrishnan is known for suggesting the celebration of Teachers' Day on September 5. When some of his students and admirers wanted to celebrate their birthday in his name, he said in a letter that Teachers’ Day shouldn't be a separate celebration but should be celebrated together. This has placed September 5 at the heart of India's educational calendar.
Teachers are pivotal to a student’s development. They do more than explain the lesson and prepare students for exams. Good teachers might be able to get their pupils interested in curiosity, encourage them to think critically and help them to know what they’re good at and guide them through difficult times. Parents and teachers are mentors (to students on a day-to-day basis) so that they can get to know their interests and be confident and make decisions about their future.
Teachers’ Day is celebrated differently in schools and in education. Students often organise cultural programmes, speeches, debates, quizzes, music and other activities to honour their teachers. Senior students take on teaching responsibilities for a short period as a part of Teachers’ Day celebrations at some schools.
In the past few years, school is changing. Today’s classrooms are increasingly influenced by technology, digital learning platforms, artificial intelligence and online information. These tools may be a boon for students to get the information they need, but teachers still need to be able to tell students the truth, evaluate what is and know the source of the information and to apply that knowledge effectively to their study.
Teachers also have to adapt to changing learning needs. Students have different abilities, interests and learning styles, and better teaching is about creating an environment for students to ask questions and express their ideas. The relationship between teachers and students can have a long-term effect on academic motivation and personal growth.
Teachers’ Day also reminds us that education is a shared responsibility. With parents, educational institutions, policymakers and communities supporting teachers we can help them be good at what we are doing. Resources and professional development opportunities; and working conditions that are good for teachers can all help teachers to do their job more effectively.
Dr. Radhakrishnan’s life is particularly crucial to this idea because in his career he was linked to education, philosophy, public service and leadership and served as India’s first Vice-President from 1952 to 1962 and later became the country’s second President from 1962 to 1967. The great work and public service he had done in education was proof that we can develop leadership and intellectual thought through education.
In Indian philosophy he was also a key player. He wrote a lot about Indian philosophical traditions and tried to make them understandable to international audiences. The Bharat Ratna (the highest civilian award in India) in 1954 was among his accomplishments as an academic award.
Parents have to recognize teachers, as one way in which they can be proud of students and their work and what they are doing. An email, handwritten note, classroom activity or a real thank you can make Teachers’ Day meaningful for students.
India celebrates Teachers’ Day on September 5. The occasion promotes education as a whole and teaches society that teachers are not a sideshow but are the very lifeblood of teaching and the very future of education. From primary schools to universities teachers create knowledge, confidence and values which people carry with them even after they leave the school, so teachers make it clear from an early age they are not just going to be taught only to teach the curriculum.
So Teachers’ Day 2026 will be both a celebration and a reminder of the continuing need for education. By remembering Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and teachers at home, we can be thankful that we have teachers who work so hard to help students learn, grow and contribute to society on September 5.
