Abu Dhabi:On World Teachers' Day, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and Education International urged governments and partners to support teachers in advancing their profession and empowering them to contribute to more inclusive, peaceful, and sustainable societies.

According to Emirates News Agency, these organizations highlighted the significance of the 60th anniversary of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers as an opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening the teaching profession. The focus is on revising the recommendation to address the current realities of teaching while maintaining its core purpose of expanding access to quality education for all learners.

The world is projected to require 50 million additional teachers by 2030 to achieve universal primary and secondary education and pre-primary education goals. This includes recruiting new teachers and retaining experienced ones by offering motivating and sustainable career pathways. Emphasizing gender equality in teaching is also crucial to overcoming persistent gender norms and inequalities.

Under the theme "Standing with teachers: 60 years of protecting the profession, advancing its status and shaping our futures," the 2026 World Teachers' Day will address challenges related to teacher status and strategies for improvement. The day serves to honor teachers' essential contributions while reflecting on the support needed for their professional development and future roles.