At the heart of education
TEACHERS are pillars of society, who educate the children of today to be leaders of tomorrow. Children retain the lessons taught at an early age and carry them for the rest of their life. Teachers inspire students to be better citizens and global leaders; thus, the teacher becomes a role model for youngsters to encourage students’ lives.
They devote their life to teach the lessons of life to children, understand knowledge and grow into a mature, responsible citizen of a nation. An excellent teacher will always motivate their students, be compassionate, show empathy and appreciate their academic objectives and accomplishments.
Children get optimism and encouragement to achieve their passion and career goals from their teachers.
William Arthur Ward said: “Teaching is more than imparting knowledge; it is inspiring change. Learning is more than absorbing facts; it is acquiring understanding.”
Teachers’ impart the knowledge to children and youth to offer them hope for a brighter future. Teaching is called as a noble profession, although it may not be financially attractive. They act as a guardian, counsellors and mentors to give way to the passion of students and groom them to achieve their respective careers.
Teachers in the Pacific need to be culturally inclusive and understand students’ backgrounds and use all possible means to convey the knowledge to the indigenous students. A day is dedicated to honour, appreciate, support, recognise and celebrate the nation’s educator through World Teachers’ Day. The article highlights the history behind World Teachers’ Day and its relevance.
World Teachers’ Day
Thus, every year on October 5, World Teachers’ Day (WTD) is celebrated to honour all teachers throughout the world. As per UNESCO,
This recommendation sets forth the rights and responsibilities of teachers as well as international standards for their initial preparation and further education, recruitment, employment, teaching and learning conditions.
Since 1994, the WTD has been observed. WTD is co-hosted by UNICEF, International Labour Organization and Education International.
In 2021 WTD remembers teachers’ contribution in order to recover the education system during and after the COVID-19 phase. Global events are organised to highlight the impact of a pandemic on the teaching profession and the promising response of the teachers to bring the education back to normal.
Celebration of WTD: Fiji’s virtual webinar
Huge celebrations are made across the world to appreciate teachers’ contribution in helping students. Fiji is not far behind in celebrating the same. One such virtual webinar event of WTD’ celebration was conducted at Fiji National University. It was possible due to the initiative of Dean of College of Humanities and Education Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba.
The webinar was scheduled on October 5, 2021 and enlightened on the theme of ‘Teachers at the heart of education recovery’. The permanent secretary, Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts, Dr Anjeela Jokhan also made a speech followed by three speakers —Dr Valentine Hazelman, Dr Satsh Prakash Chand and Dr Victor Alasa).
Different ceremonies and awards are bestowed to the teachers all around the globe to the outperformed teachers. They make a difference in society by their contribution beginning from classroom to community service.
Teachers make learning fun, encourage students to push to achieve their dreams; transform the scenario of life; help to improve the weaknesses and change them into one strength. Thus, a day of appreciation may not be sufficient.
The objective of WTD is to appreciate, assess and improve the conditions of educators around the globe. It also aims to improve educational quality by increasing awareness of the importance of teaching and contemporary problems impacting the teachers. WTD is commemorated with a new topic every year, as determined by UNESCO.
WTD’s 2020 theme was “Teachers: Leading in crisis, reimagining the future’ whereas 2021 is ‘Teachers at the Heart of Education Recovery’. Their contribution towards the students and society has become the pillar of development and growth.
Pandemic (COVID-19) has been a challenge for teachers and students, as there has been unprecedented closure of schools, where teachers contributed to the transition of teaching pedagogy from face-toface towards virtual teaching. Teachers’ role has been outstanding in continuing the journey of teaching and to go beyond their official duties to support their children.
Despite having huge workload stress and reducing their family time.
Aristotle said: “Those who educate children well are more to be honored than they who produce them; for these only gave them life, those the art of living well.”
Teachers may be considered tough sometimes, as their scolding may not be liked by children at that moment. But at the end of the day, with positive results, children realise their mistakes and regard, even more, the teachers who had moulded their life forever.
WTD is a wonderful day for every student, irrespective of the subject, region or place, because every student must realise the importance of teachers in their life. If every student says a word of appreciation like ‘Thank you’ to their teachers who had made a significant role in their life, that will convey a considerable appreciation. Teachers do not want anything in return except the progress of their students.
Teachers are next to parents, as they are the role model in school, who always play a betterment role in students’ lives, to learn lifelong lessons to be a better responsible citizen of a nation. Your word of appreciation towards your teacher will undoubtedly make a difference.