5 October marks World Teachers’ Day and it has been celebrated since 1994. This day is not only utilised to appreciate and honour teachers all around the world, but also to consider issues related to teachers and teaching.
History of World Teachers’ Day
The day was launched with the motive of promoting help towards teachers and creating awareness regarding the importance of teachers to meet the needs of future generations. Teachers’ Day is celebrated today in 100 nations around the globe. And on this day, programmes are usually organised in schools and colleges in respect of their teachers.
In 1966 the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) admitted recommendations concerning the status of higher education teaching personnel. And in 1997 these recommendations were adopted.
A joint statement from Unesco, ILO, Unicef and Education International said, “On World Teachers’ Day, we are not only celebrating every teacher. We are calling on countries to invest in them and prioritize them in global education recovery efforts so that every learner has access to a qualified and supported teacher. Let’s stand with our teachers!”
“Teachers at the heart of education recovery”
This year’s theme for World Teachers’ Day is “Teachers at the heart of education recovery”. Unesco has reported that a five-day series of global and regional events will showcase the effect that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the teaching profession.
It will further highlight effective and promising policy responses. The steps that need to be taken to ensure that teaching personnel develop their full potential also needs to be established.