Dhaka: World Teachers' Day is being observed in the country today through various programmes, highlighting the theme 'Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession,' which underscores the importance of collaboration among teachers, within schools, and across education systems.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, World Teachers' Day has been observed every year on October 5 since 1994, as established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The day commemorates the adoption of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers, which outlines benchmarks for the rights and responsibilities of teachers, as well as standards for their preparation, recruitment, employment, and teaching conditions.
Additionally, the Recommendation concerning the Status of Higher-Education Teaching Personnel, adopted in 1997, complements the 1966 Recommendation by addressing higher education teaching staff. World Teachers' Day is an opportunity to celebrate teachers' contributions to education and to reflect on the support they require to maximize their potential and redefine the path forward for the teaching profession globally.
Co-convened by the International Labour Organization (ILO), UNICEF, and Education International (EI), the day's celebrations include a reception at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital. During the event, 12 outstanding teachers will be honoured, selected from a shortlist of 36 candidates representing a range of educational institutions, including universities, colleges, secondary schools, madrasahs, technical, and primary schools across the country.
The Ministry of Education's guidelines for this year ensure that World Teachers' Day is observed at all educational institutions nationwide, with activities at the upazila, district, and national levels.