Every day, educators go above and beyond to make the world a better place, by equipping today’s youth with the knowledge, power, and skills to change their futures. Every year, on 5 October we celebrate and honour them and their dedication and commitment, as part of World Teachers’ Day. To show our appreciation for all the educators who’ve played a special role in our lives, let’s remember why and how this day is celebrated. 

World Teachers’ Day, or International Teachers’ Day, is held annually on 5 October in commemoration of the signing of the 1966 UNESCO/International Labour Organisation Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. This recommendation sets the standard of continuing education, recruitment, and learning conditions for learning facilitators around the world to ensure they’re able to carry out their jobs and continue to make a difference both in and out of their learning environment. Officially established in 1994, World Teachers’ Day is dedicated to “appreciating, assessing and improving the educators of the world” and bringing issues related to teaching and learning to light. 

Each year, UNESCO sets a theme for World Teachers’ Day and this year’s theme is The transformation of education begins with teachers, highlighting the impactful work of learning facilitators and calling on governments to trust, respect, involve and invest in learning facilitators. In a joint statement by UNESCO, International Labour Organisation (ILO), UNICEF and Education International (EI), they said “Today, on World Teachers’ Day, we celebrate the critical role of teachers in transforming learners’ potential by ensuring they have the tools they need to take responsibility for themselves, for others and for the planet. We call on countries to ensure that teachers are trusted and recognised as knowledge producers, reflective practitioners, and policy partners.” 

World Teachers’ Day is commemorated by more than 100 countries every year. Through partnerships with various media organisations, UNESCO and Education International plan campaigns around creating global awareness and understanding of learning facilitators and the role they play in the development of learners and society. Learners can celebrate by showing appreciation and giving thanks to their learning facilitators, little tokens of appreciation or even just a kind message to remind them of the incredible job they’re doing.

“World Teachers’ Day is a lovely time for me, as I remind myself of all the wonderful teachers I have had, and to try and be like them more and more on my journey as a learning facilitator”, says UCT Online High School Learning Facilitator, Tyler Naumann. If you don’t have a learning facilitator to personally thank, shout out your appreciation on social media. The day is all about acknowledging the work of learning facilitators and recognising their contributions to society.

Image: UCT Online High School Learning Facilitator, David Coetzer

Another UCT Online High School Learning Facilitator, David Coetzer says “educating is one of the most selfless vocations and yet the most rewarding when hearing from learners from long ago and their achievements, trials, hardships or success but ultimately their growth.”

By raising awareness of the importance of education and giving them a voice to raise issues within the system, there’s hopes of turning around and improving the quality of education around the globe. Show your virtual support and appreciation for our unsung heroes.

Because every learner deserves a champion, UCT Online High School doesn’t just have Learning Facilitators who are experienced in their subject area, they recruit highly passionate individuals who believe in making a lasting, positive impact on the lives of the learners they engage with. Their multi-layered support system of Learning Facilitators and Support Coaches gives learners all the encouragement, tools and support they need to master their own destinies.

Unleash your child’s potential and give them the support they need to unlock their full potential. Join UCT Online High School now by applying to one of their three curriculum offerings. Find out more on their website.