World Teachers' Day goes digital

Teachers: Leading in crisis, reimagining the future will be the theme of a World Teachers' Day with a difference this year.

Education International (EI) is organising an ambitious 24-hour celebration on October 5, which will consist of a stream of virtual events hosted on its communications channels. All events will be online and interactive to allow wide access and engagement of members and the broader public.

They will be shared through EI's Facebook, YouTube and Twitter channels.

Teachers always at the forefront

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic teachers around the world have taken the lead in continuing to deliver quality education while adapting to a challenging new environment. Globally teachers have also played a leading role in keeping education communities safe and healthy.

The World Teachers' Day stream will serve as a platform for member organisations to be heard as they continue to contribute to building a better tomorrow for their students.

Teachers have always been at the forefront, in their everyday responsibilities in schools and leadership roles in communities. In the recent months, teachers and education support personnel and their unions have been further challenged to respond to the challenges of the new teaching-learning environment and to the evolving needs of their communities.

Long-existing problems exposed

For all their efforts, teachers have been recognised and appreciated, most especially by students and parents. While in this crucial time educators have shown their professionalism and dedication, it has also exposed long-existing problems of the profession and the education sector. As countries rebuild from the pandemic, educators and their unions reiterate their calls for adequate support to teachers and the entire sector, raising the status of teachers and ultimately providing quality education for all.

This year's World Teachers' Day is an opportunity to focus a global spotlight on our capabilities, adaptability and strength and scope of our solidarity. Teachers and all educators are indeed leading in crisis and reimagining the future.

World Teacher's Day history

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) proclaimed October 5 to be World Teachers' Day in 1994. It chose October 5 because it was on this date in 1966 when a significant step was made for teachers.

A special intergovernmental conference in Paris adopted the UNESCO/International Labour Organisation (ILO) recommendation concerning the status of teachers. The recommendation sets benchmarks regarding teachers' rights. It also sets standards for teacher training, employment and teaching and learning conditions.

Each year there is a different theme. Some of the most recent ones have been:

2019: Young teachers: The future of the profession

2018: The right to education means the right to a qualified teacher

2017: Empowering teachers

2016: Valuing teachers, improving their status