The Prime Minister has said that the Government is committed to providing quality education to all children. Addressing the National Award winning teachers in New Delhi on Monday, Dr. Manmohan Singh sought the dedicated commitment of teachers to achieve this goal.

Saying that the teachers have a very critical role to play in shaping the future of India, he urged them to develop in children the ability to contribute to the society and the processes of nation building. He said, the Right to Education legislation has the potential to transform schools and the lives of children.

Reminding them that he started his career as a teacher, the prime minister said that in the coming time more and more children with diverse backgrounds will enter the school system. The teacher's challenge will be to work towards a democratic classroom in which all children participate in the learning processes as equal partners.

Congratulating the teachers for winning the National Award for their meritorious services and contribution to the cause of school education, Dr. Singh asked them to ensure that country's unique cultural heritage is preserved while preparing the children for global citizenship.