World Teachers’ Day, WTD

World Teachers’ Day, WTD (October 5th)
Over 100 countries express their teacher appreciation by observing World Teachers' Day (WTD). The efforts of many parents and teachers’ organizations have contributed to this widespread recognition. Every year, public awareness campaigns are launched to highlight the contributions of the teaching profession. On 5 October, teachers’ organizations worldwide mobilise to ensure that the needs of future generations are taken into consideration in this increasingly complex, multicultural and technological world.

UNESCO inaugurated the 5th of October as World Teachers’ Day in 1994 to commemorate the signing of the UNESCO/ILO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers on the 5th of October, 1966. World Teachers’ Day also highlights the Recommendation Concerning the Status of Higher Education Teaching Personnel adopted in 1997.

According to UNESCO, World Teachers' Day represents a significant token of the awareness, understanding and teacher appreciation displayed for the vital contribution that these professionals make to education and development. Teachers' Day should be internationally recognized, and teacher appreciation should be celebrated around the world. The principles of the 1966 and 1997 Recommendations should be considered for implementation in all nations.

World Teachers' Day provides the opportunity to draw public attention to the role of teachers worldwide as well as to the crucial importance of the role they play in society. On the 5th of October, 1966, the world's teachers made a giant step forward. A Special Intergovernmental Conference adopted the UNESCO/ILO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers, which, for the first time ever, gave teachers throughout the world an instrument that defines their responsibilities and asserts their rights. In adopting this Recommendation, governments unanimously recognized the importance for every society of having competent, qualified and motivated teachers. The international community thus recognizes that showing teacher appreciation is a positive and necessary yearly action.

How different countries celebrate teacher appreciation
A sad teacher appreciation story: Sakina Daudi
United Nations’ agencies teacher appreciation message on WTD