Sharing his vision for an education policy which struck at the roots of social evils like lack of hygiene and female foeticide, Modi said, "India has a tremendous responsibility towards the world in the 21st century, which has been called the century of knowledge."
The PM was speaking at a function organised at the Benaras Hindu University, where he laid the foundation stone for an inter-university centre for teachers education.
Modi said India needs to look at the opportunity presented by the world, wherein qualified and efficient teachers are in ever-increasing demand and aim at "the ability to export top-class teachers across the world."
He called for introducing a full five-year course for educators so that those aspiring to pursue a career in teaching could begin their training after Class XII itself.
The Prime Minister is on a day-long visit to his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi to mark 'Good Governance' Day.