New Delhi, Sep 5 : President Pratibha Patil will distribute National Awards to teachers for the year 2007 here today.

These awards are being presented every year to accord public recognition to meritorious school teachers.

This year altogether 320 teachers have been nominated. Of these, 82 are lady women teachers. Nine teachers have been nominated under Sanskrit category and five are for teaching in Madarasas. Thirteen teachers fall under the Special category.

These awards were instituted in 1958. Initially, these were given away on convenient dates.

From mid-60s, September 5 came to be the date of investiture. The award carries a silver medal, a certificate and Rs. 25,000.

The nominated teachers along with one of the family member are invited to Delhi and treated as State guest for two to three days. (ANI)