World Teacher's Day

Today is World Teacher's Day. Held annually on 5 October since 1994, WTC commemorates the anniversary of the signing in 1966 of the UNESCO/ILO Recommendation Concerning the Status of Teachers. It is an occasion to celebrate the essential role of teachers in providing quality education at all levels.

World Teachers’ Day 2009 - “Build the future: invest in teachers now!”

World Teachers’ Day 2009 puts the spotlight on the global teacher shortage and the challenges of being a teacher today.

In our rapidly changing and interdependent world, teachers not only have to ensure that students acquire solid skills in basic subjects, but also that they become responsible local and global citizens, at ease with new technologies and able to make informed decisions about health, the environment and other challenges.

Sustained investment is required to develop a well-trained and motivated teaching force. An estimated 10.3 million new teachers must be recruited worldwide by 2015 just to meet the goal of universal primary education. At a time when the global economic slowdown risks putting tight constraints on education budgets, it is critical that governments support the recruitment, training and professional development of teachers.