Paris: On World Teachers’ Day, UNESCO, ILO, UNICEF, and Education International have urged governments, partners, and the international community to collectively recognize collaboration as a fundamental norm within the teaching profession. The call emphasizes that only through effective cooperation at all levels can stakeholders build truly inclusive, equitable, and resilient education systems worldwide.
According to Emirates News Agency, World Teachers’ Day, celebrated annually on October 5th, serves as a day to honor teachers globally and reflect on the support they need to fully utilize their talents and vocations. This year’s theme, ‘Recasting teaching as a collaborative profession,’ underscores the transformative potential of collaboration for teachers, schools, and education systems. Emphasizing collaboration within teaching practices is essential for strengthening teaching, learning, and professional fulfillment.
In a joint statement, key leaders including Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF, and David Edwards, General Secretary of Education International, highlighted the critical role teachers play in driving learning and inclusion in schools. They noted that the teaching profession is currently facing a significant crisis, requiring high-level political mobilisation, as discussed at the recent World Summit on Teachers organized by UNESCO and the Government of Chile.
The Global Report on Teachers indicates a pressing need for an additional 44 million teachers worldwide to achieve universal primary and secondary education by 2030. The number of teachers leaving the profession has doubled in recent years, exacerbating the shortage. The crisis is further compounded by challenging working conditions, including professional isolation and limited opportunities for development and cooperation.
This year’s World Teachers’ Day theme highlights the inherently collective nature of education, calling for teacher collaboration in various spheres to enhance motivation, resilience, and the quality of education for millions of students. The leaders emphasized that reversing current trends in teacher attrition and recruitment requires increased investment and policies that foster collaborative working environments throughout teachers’ careers.