World Teachers' Day observed

Sultana Yesmin The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) announced October 05 as World Teachers' Day in 1994. Following the decision of the UNESCO, countries have been celebrating the day with a view to providing support for teachers by ensuring their all requirements to meet global challenges. The principle of the 1996 Recommendation of International Labour Organisation (ILO)/ UNESCO is about the Status of Teachers, whereas the principle of the 1997 Recommendation of the UNESCO highlights the Status of Higher Education Teaching Personnel. These two principles were adopted in order to delineate both rights and responsibilities of teachers. Since the inauguration, this day has been observed in order to honour teachers worldwide as well as provide highest level of supports for them. The UNESCO also celebrates this day with its partners such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO), United Nations Development Partner (UNDP), United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and Education International (EI). Currently, the World Teachers' Day is celebrated in more than 100 countries around the world. The slogan of the World Teachers' Day 2013 is "A Call for Teachers" that means calling for quality education for all. It sends a message that quality of teachers as well as good teaching method is essential to good learning outcomes. It also urges professionals, well-trained and well-supported teachers to build up next generation with better quality as well as better norms, values and cultures. One of the major focusing points of this day is to look for quality teachers for global citizenship and cultural diversity. It also advocates reducing gap between teachers and students for building prosperous nation. Regarding this, Irina Bokova, the UNESCO Director-General says, "teachers' professional knowledge and skills are the most important factor for quality education. On this World Teachers' Day, we call for teachers to receive stronger training upfront and continual professional development and support". The day signifies that investment for teachers is very essential for future generations and there is no best alterative option without paying attention in this sector. As teachers are the most respectful persons in the world, the UNESCO celebrates this day with grave importance. This day is significant from different perspectives. It brings about wonderful opportunity to draw public attention about the significance of teachers for a nation. This day attempts to assemble common framework around the world for sustaining constructive development process worldwide. It also denotes crucial role of teachers of which students are also indispensable part of their efforts. The day mainly focuses on building well-founded framework for sound and bright future for next generation. This day is also very crucial for building awareness, mutual understanding among teachers and students as well as for enhancing the path towards good education process and development. One of the major crucial points of this day is to underscore momentous involvement of teachers not only for making a prosperous society through quality education at all levels, but also for building respectful nation in the world. Through Teachers' Day, people also come to know about the importance of teacher-student nexus for better future. Undoubtedly, better relationship between teachers and students will make it easier to make a qualified generation. It is also the day through which students, parents and all level of community members can come to know about the significance of teachers throughout the world. Though October 05 is counted as International Teachers' Day, some countries in the world observe the day in different time frames considering remarkable moments of their countries. For example, India celebrates Teachers' Day in September 05 as the day commemorates the birthday of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakhrishnan who was not only a great teacher but also a great philosopher. Furthermore, 25 November in Indonesia, 16 May in Malaysia, 16 January in Thailand, and 06 October in Sri Lanka are observed as Teachers' Day. Oman, Syria, Egypt, Libya, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Tunisia, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Morocco also commemorate Teachers' Day on February 28. In Bangladesh, the day is celebrated on October 5. Since 1995, Bangladesh has been observing World Teachers' Day in order to honour signing of UNESCO/ILO recommendations and demonstrate respect towards the principles of the day. Every year Bangladesh celebrates this day in order to acknowledge the supreme contribution of teachers especially in building future generations as emerging leaders. Bangladesh Teachers' Association, University of Dhaka, National Education Implementation Committee, Bangladesh Madrasa Teachers' Association, Bangladesh College Teachers Association and different educational institutions take various attempts to observe this day for constructive outcomes. International community believes that World Teachers' Day should be internationally recognised and celebrated around the world and all of its principles must be implemented in all nations. Education International (EI) also plays special role during this day through launching public awareness campaign with a view to highlighting the contributions of teaching profession. The union of teachers as well as students are also urged to implement their commitments for successful education system. Students celebrate this day with extra importance and obviously it is the day under which students get the chance to express their greatest respect to their favourite teachers. Students usually present gift to their teachers. Local community and different organisations also observe this day with colourful events. The significance of Teachers' Day is undoubtedly inevitable. The day not only means celebration but also sends some relevant messages towards the nations of the world. One of the key messages is that unless teachers are bestowed with better opportunities, any country will lack in qualified generation that will ultimately pose a country to severe challenges. Sultana Yesmin is working as research assistant at Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS), email: [email protected]