The former President of India was a teacher, a visionary, and a guide, and remains an eternal inspiration for educators and learners alike
By Rayees Yaseen
Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam remained a teacher until his last breath. As an educator who played a vital role in the development of education and technology in India, he embodied the true spirit of teaching. Wherever he went, he would seize every opportunity to teach students, especially children. The national development of youth was his greatest passion.
In one of his interviews, Dr Kalam said, “If people remember me as a good teacher, that will be the biggest honour for me.” The former President regarded teaching as a noble profession that shapes the character, capability, and future of young minds.
He often said that a person’s dreams arise from their pain — and his pain was the pain of his nation. His dream was to see a prosperous, happy, and peaceful India. The presence of students and young minds always ignited a spark within him and inspired him to engage with them.
Dr Kalam is remembered as someone who made teaching his inherited identity — his passion for educating children and inspiring them to become good citizens. He dedicated his life to teaching and identified himself first as a teacher, and then as anything else.
His passion for teaching was evident till his last moments — he passed away while delivering a lecture at IIM Shillong. In that speech, he beautifully said: “Real education is that which makes a person think — what can I do for the children, for teachers, or for the nation’s leaders?”
He also said that teachers are the real assets of a country. Every teacher, regardless of ability, has the power to turn children into competent and productive citizens. The destiny of a nation depends on its teachers.
A student spends about 20,000 hours in school before completing the 12th grade. During this time, they absorb their teacher’s virtues and personality. Dr Kalam recognised that a teacher’s effort and identity form the backbone of any nation.
In one of his addresses, he said, “Education is a process that leads to creativity. Creativity results from the educational process and the environment provided by schools — and most importantly, from the teacher’s ability to ignite the minds of students.”
He summarised this process in a few profound lines:
“Learning gives creativity,
Creativity leads to thinking,
Thinking provides knowledge,
Knowledge makes you great.”
A Teacher’s Objectives
Dr Abdul Kalam said: “The purpose of a teacher should be character building, nurturing human values, enhancing learning abilities through technology, and developing confidence, innovation, and creativity in children — so that they become competitive to face the future.”
He emphasised that teachers must guide students to select relevant information from the vast ocean of knowledge. Teachers should connect classroom learning with real-life applications.
He said, “Students are the language of knowledge and are constantly in search of challenges that stimulate their minds.” A good education system, according to him, is one that satisfies people’s hunger for knowledge. The teacher should be a role model worthy of imitation.
Education, he believed, can only flourish through teachers and educators who understand that they are the true builders of society — and society can only be built when students are built. Teachers must help students specialise in their subjects and also provide them with a vision for life, instilling in them the values that will guide them for years to come.
Dr Kalam’s book “Wings of Fire” offers valuable insights for anyone pursuing their dreams and creating their own path. It is equally relevant for entrepreneurs, as he faced every challenge a dreamer encounters and turned every obstacle into an opportunity for greatness.
According to Dr Kalam, a teacher should possess four essential qualities:
- A love for teaching — a desire to share knowledge.
- Encouragement of questioning — letting students think beyond textbooks.
- The ability to ignite curiosity — inspiring students to explore.
- Constructive pressure — motivating students to realise their full potential.
Dr Kalam wrote that these qualities apply not only to teachers but also to entrepreneurs, trainers, corporate mentors, and leaders — anyone guiding others to move beyond limits and achieve greatness.
Significance
This study is beneficial for educators, principals, teachers, parents, and especially researchers who examine educational thought. Dr Kalam’s philosophy of education, though he was a scientist, offers valuable lessons for the present generation. His approach to every component of education — methods, curriculum, principles, and values — remains relevant and practical today.
Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was one of India’s greatest personalities. His remarkable contributions to the nation’s growth and development are unforgettable. His efforts in science, education, and social upliftment were extraordinary.
Dr Kalam was a visionary thinker and creative mind who aimed to harmonise India’s cultural heritage with modern educational goals. He was perhaps the first educational thinker to emphasise that students should be independent learners — continuing as lifelong seekers of knowledge.
He believed that teachers are the backbone of any nation. Their role is to create an environment where even weak students can understand and improve, developing conceptual understanding along with moral values.
Children are the nation’s greatest wealth. Every child must have equal opportunities for complete development.
Parents play a crucial role in their children’s education and character formation.
Teachers should be role models, and schools should provide an environment where students can ask questions, seek answers, and feel free to express themselves.
He advocated the use of tele-education and e-education to provide quality education in rural areas and strengthen the connection between different parts of the education system.
Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam — a teacher, a visionary, and a guide — remains an eternal inspiration for educators and learners alike.
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