Teachers are the real builders of the nation, and teaching is a profession close to his heart, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told the National Award winning teachers on Tuesday.
Mr Singh said that though he was in politics, he still missed teaching.
“I have taught in the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, Punjab, Delhi, and my liking for the profession is still as strong as it was in the past,’’ he said.
The teachers had called on him at his Race Course Road residence here.
The Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said no other community plays a greater role in the progress of the country than the teaching community.
Mr Singh said that after the Sarva Shiksha Abhyan, the Government was committed to universalisation of secondary education.
However, SSA and mid-day meal scheme would continue to get maximum attention, he added.
He said university education would be paid special attention during the 11th five-year plan.
The Prime Minister exhorted the teachers to follow the ideals of late President S Radhakrishnan, who with his statesmanship made valuable contribution to the Indian society.
The 314 teachers from across the country will be handed over the awards by president Pratibha Patil   on Wednesday, the occasion of the Teachers’ Day.