World Teachers’ Day
Teachers - Opening doors to a better world
(The theme of this year's WTD)
On 5 October, teachers’ organisations worldwide mobilise to ensure that the needs of future generations are taken into consideration in this increasingly complex, multicultural and technological world.
UNESCO inaugurated 5 October as World Teachers’ Day in 1994 to commemorate the signing of the Recommendation Concerning the Status of Teachers on 5 October 1966. World Teachers’ Day also highlights the Recommendation Concerning the Status of Higher Education Teaching Personnel adopted in 1997.
Over 100 countries observe World Teachers' Day. The efforts of Education International and its 311 member organisations have contributed to this wide spread recognition. Every year EI has launched a public awareness campaign to highlight the contributions of the teaching profession.
Teach: to educate; to give instructions or lesson; to cause to learn and to understand; to inspire; to endow knowledge; to help and guide someone; to develop academically, socially and emotionally; to aid someone in self-improvement; in short - to open doors to a better world.
Without teachers, education would not be what it is meant to be, because to teach, is not simply to tell a child established facts and figures. It is to inspire, to unlock his or her potentials, to offer new perspectives, to help children realise their dreams to build a better world.
This is the reason why Education International insists on the right of every child around the world to have a qualified teacher.
At all stages of the education system, from kindergarten to higher education, qualified teachers are needed to guide students in developing values that are essential to peace, tolerance, equality, respect and understanding. Qualified teachers help children, young people and also adults develop essential social and life skills, such as trust, confidence, dialogue, critical thinking and self-esteem.
Teachers are the pillars of education. Teachers open doors to a better world. The world tomorrow depends on the worlds teachers open up for our children.
