New Delhi, Sep 4 (IANS): Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani Thursday called for a greater role of teachers in inculcating values in children for the strengthening of the future generation of India.

"The role of teachers and mentors has been very important in the development of the country. They are the ones responsible for inculcating values in children in building a society and a nation.

"They (teachers) need to contribute in a similar way for the betterment of the society," Irani said at a felicitation ceremony for Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) teachers and mentors for their contribution to the field of education.

Thirty-three teachers from across the country and abroad were conferred the CBSE award for their innovation in classroom teaching.

Irani said teachers also need to make efforts to extend education in remote parts of the country so that students do not remain deprived of the benefits of education.

Irani was speaking on the eve of Teachers' Day which is celebrated Sep 5 every year on the birth anniversary of educationist and scholar Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the first vice president and the second president of India.

Apart from the teachers, 15 mentors from across the country were also awarded for collaboration through regular visits to schools.

Also for the first time, 159 sports promoting schools were felicitated with certificates to encourage other schools to organise sports activities and promote the spirit of well-being and health of school-going children.

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