WORLD TEACHER’S DAY
‘Teaching is the profession, that teaches all other professions’
Let’s take some time to celebrate, thank and honour our teachers on the World Teachers’ Day aka International Teacher’s Day celebrated annually on 5th of October. We all remember at least one teacher who made a huge difference in our life. Teachers dedicate themselves completely to make the future of their students and eventually the future of nation. Hence, the World Teacher’s Day is a day dedicated to honour the contribution and sacrifices of teachers worldwide in making this world a better & educated place. 2022 marks the 28th anniversary of International Teachers’ Day.
Theme of the World Teacher’s Day 2022:
The theme of World Teacher’s Day this year is that ‘The transformation of education begins with teachers’. This theme is made in honour of the efforts and dedication made by teachers in transforming the lives of learners with education. It also signifies how in the pandemic teachers made sure that the education of the students continues by transforming the mode of teaching from physical classes to distant, technical- virtual classes.
A joint message was given by UNESCO, ILO, UNICEF and Education International (EI) for theme of World Teacher’s Day 2022:
“Today on World Teacher’s Day, we celebrate the critical role of Teachers in transforming learner’s potential by ensuring they have the tools they need – to take responsibility for themselves, for others and for the planet. We call on countries to ensure that teachers are trusted and recognized as knowledge producers, reflective practitioners, and policy partners.”
History of the World Teacher’s Day
This global event was launched by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in the year 1994. The day of 5th October was chosen because it honours the anniversary of adoption of ‘teaching in freedom’ in 1966 on the same day after the UNESCO recommendation concerning status of teachers. A special intergovernmental conference in Paris adopted UNESCO/ILO recommendation that sets benchmark regarding teacher’s rights. After that the day of 5th October was declared as International Teachers Day by UNESCO.
Significance of the day
The day was launched to promote awareness regarding the role and importance of teachers for present as well as future generations’ needs. It acknowledges and appreciates the sacrifices, contributions, services provided by teachers in shaping the lives of children. It also acknowledges the rights and responsibilities of teachers worldwide. Teachers’ job is to teach only, but they work beyond their role. They guide & shape the young minds, care for them like parents, motivates them to do better, act like friends as well as their well wishers. This day is dedicated to identify, thank and honour the teachers worldwide for their extremely valuable services. It is also used to recognise the issues and difficulties that are prevalent in the teaching profession and to resolve such issues to ease the profession.
Celebrations
World Teachers Day recognises the efforts and services made by teachers. It is celebrated in about 100 countries throughout the world. At schools, colleges and institutional levels different seminars, award–honouring events, lectures, workshops etc. are organised. Various entertaining performances, cultural performances, dramatic performances etc. are organised by students to thank their teachers.
The international organisations like UNESCO, ILO etc. organise different committee meetings, conferences and events at global level to recognise, appreciate the efforts of teachers and to bring new improvements, changes, reforms in teaching profession. This year too UNESCO will be organising a global event on 5th of October in Paris. In these events teachers are awarded many online and offline rewards. A special prize called as UNESCO -Hamdan bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Prize established in 2008 is awarded to the excellent teachers. It is supported by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, finance minister of United Arab Emirates. The prize amounts to US $300,000 and is equally divided between three winners who performance leads to worldwide educational improvement. In this way honouring and encouraging the teaching profession.
Conclusion
Since, teachers have a huge role in our lives; we must take out this one day in our busy lives to thank them for their contributions. Right from the preschool to beyond universities level a teacher is the one who imparts us with not only bookish knowledge but also with moral and ethical values.
So, let’s all celebrate this day by remembering our childhood and present teachers, by wishing and thanking them!!
