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By Thapelo Molefe
Educators and policymakers from around the world are coming together to celebrate World Teachers’ Day on Saturday and highlight the vital role teachers play in shaping the future of education.
This year’s theme, “Valuing teacher voices: Towards a new social contract for education”, emphasises the urgent need to incorporate teachers’ perspectives into educational policy and decision-making processes.
World Teachers’ Day is held annually on 5 October to celebrate the work of educators.
The day’s celebrations will begin with an opening ceremony led by UNESCO director-general Audrey Azoulay. It will feature messages from co-convening agencies, including the International Labour Organisation, UNICEF and Education International.
A series of discussions and activities will follow, including the awarding ceremony of the eighth edition of the UNESCO-Hamdan Prize for Teacher Development.
Teachers will also share their insights and experiences on a panel, stressing the importance of their participation in decision-making processes and the need for a dignified teaching profession.
According to new data published by UNESCO, 44 million teachers are still needed to achieve the goal of providing primary and secondary education for all by 2030.
It says the problem is not only one of funding, but also the unattractiveness of the profession.
In South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the 24th National Teaching Awards (NTA) in Kempton Park in Ekurhuleni.
The event, hosted annually by the Basic Education Department, recognises and rewards exceptional teachers who have made significant contributions to education despite challenging circumstances.
“The NTA aims to focus public attention on the positive aspects of basic education, thereby raising the public image of the teaching profession, recognise, appreciate and promote excellence in teaching performance,” Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said in a statement.
This year’s theme, “Empowering educators to educate a South African learner fit for the 21st century: Strengthening Resilience, Building Sustainability”, highlights the critical role teachers play in shaping the country’s future.
The categories include excellence in teaching, leadership, science education, and technology-enhanced teaching and learning.
INSIDE EDUCATION