Background
UNESCO inaugurated October 5 as World Teachers’ Day in 1994 to commemorate the joint signing of the UNESCO/ILO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers on 5 October 1966. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing.
According to UNESCO, World Teachers' Day represents a significant token of the awareness, understanding and appreciation displayed for the vital contribution that teachers make to education and development.
World Teachers' Day is promoted by Education International which represents more than 29 million teachers and education workers.
They belong to 348 education unions and other education associations, including NZEI Te Riu Roa, in 166 countries. EI unites all education workers in their shared goal of providing a quality education to every child in the world.
NZEI members at this year's Annual Meeting endorsed the EI Declaration on Professional Ethics. It states that a quality public education is a cornerstone of a democratic society. To read the declaration clck here
World Teachers' Day in New Zealand
In New Zealand, World Teachers' Day is a chance to look at the good work of teachers around the country and to highlight the importance of a quality education system.
NZEI has celebrated World Teachers' Day in many ways in the past. In 2005, NZEI networks donated to the Solomon Islands National Teachers' Association to go towards their union’s building project appeal. In 2004, NZEI sent posters to libraries, schools and early childhood education centres. In 2003, NZEI asked members to write a letter asking countries to free a jailed fellow teacher.
Last year NZEI asked people to thank a teacher, and to let the government know that they value the quality public education our teachers provide for the children of New Zealand. For more specific ways you can help, see our get involved section
World Teachers' Day 2007 - NZEI's Contribution
This year as a contribution to World Teachers’ Day, NZEI Te Riu Roa has commissioned a photographic exhibition exploring the many roles and skills of a teacher. View here.
World Teachers' Day around the globe
World Teachers' Day is also a time to support teachers around the world. In some countries, teachers face problems with inequity of funding, voucher systems, and lack of professional development. In other countries, teachers are underpaid or unpaid, work in overcrowded classrooms with few materials, and may be jailed or murdered for asserting their right to belong to a teachers' union.
For more information, visit the Education International website, www.ei-ie.org, or go to their Urgent Action Appeals section, which includes details on how you can donate or lobby to alleviate crisis situations around the globe.
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