World Teacher’s Day is also known as International Teachers Day. It is an international day which is held every year on the 5th of October. This was established in 1994. It commemorates the signing of the 1996 UNESCO/ILO Recommendation concerning the status of teachers. This recommendation is a standard-setting instrument that addresses the status and situation of teachers around the whole world. It outlines standards relating to education personnel policy, recruitment, and initial training. It also outlines the continuing education of the teachers, their employment, and their working condition. This day aims to focus on “appreciating, assessing and improving the educators of the world. This day also aims to provide an opportunity to consider issues related to teachers and teaching.
World Teacher’s Day is co-convened in partnership with International Labor Organization (ILO), UNICEF, and Education International (EI). The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared the 5th of October to be World Teacher’s Day in 1994. Since then, this day is celebrated annually on October 5 across countries. This day celebrates the anniversary of the adoption of the 1996 ILO UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. This was also adopted in a special intergovernmental conference convened by UNESCO in collaboration with the ILO in Paris.
According to the official website of UNESCO, “This recommendation sets forth the rights and responsibilities of teachers as well as international standards for their initial preparation and future education, recruitment, employment, teaching and learning conditions.” Historically speaking, the UNESCO General Conference even adopted the UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Higher education Teaching Personnel in 1997 after this adoption.
World Teachers Day aims to appreciate, assess and improve the condition of educators across the world. This day is also seen as an opportunity to consider and address issues related to teachers and teaching. Every year, a campaign is held by UNESCO and Education International (EI). Every year, these campaigns are based on different themes to provide a better understanding of teachers and their profession as they play an important role in the development of students and society.
The historical recommendation addresses the education personnel policy, recruitment, and initial training. It also addresses the issue of continuing education of teachers. World Teachers is a great day and is of utmost significance. This is because people celebrate it to mark the progress and reflect on ways to counter the challenges relating to the teaching profession. This day mainly focuses on the employment and working conditions of the teachers. These two aspects are neglected at various times. These guidelines elevate the status of the teachers in the interest of quality education.
This day is celebrated on various days of the year by various countries. Usually, schools and students prepare an occasion for Teachers Day. More than 100 countries commemorate Teacher’s Day and hold their own celebration. For example, India commemorates this day on the 5th of September every year. As the day falls during Australian schools and holidays, Australian states and territories celebrate it on the last Friday of every year instead. In 2021, it will be celebrated on 29th October, Friday.