5th October - A Call for Teachers!

“A Call for Teachers!” is the slogan of World Teachers’ Day 2013 (5 October), which UNESCO is celebrating along with its partners, the International Labour Organization (ILO), UNDP, UNICEF and Education International (EI).  

Since teachers are the most powerful force for equity, access and quality education, a call for teachers means calling for quality education for all.  

Quality education offers hope and the promise of a better standard of living. There is no stronger foundation for lasting peace and sustainable development than a quality education provided by well trained, valued, supported and motivated teachers.

Why a call for teachers?

Because there is a huge shortage of professional, well-trained and well-supported teachers to achieve better quality education. The challenge of recruiting teachers does not lie just in the numbers, but in the provision of quality teachers. Far too often teachers remain under-qualified, poorly paid and with low status

“Teachers’ professional knowledge and skills are the most important factor for quality education. This World Teachers’ Day, we call for teachers to receive stronger training upfront and continual professional development and support...  “- Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General

( UNESCO: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/world-teachers-day)