Why we need to empower teachers

OPINION | EDUCATION

By Davis Akampurira

World Teachers' Day is held annually on October 5, since 1994 to commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the 1966 UNESCO/ILO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers.

It is an opportunity to commemorate teacher's organisations worldwide and also aims to activate support for teachers and to ensure that teachers continue to supply to the global framework of needs and requirements conducive in building a well-founded footing to a sound and greatly enabled future generation.

World-wide, there are more than 55 million teachers. Teachers develop key relationships as role models and mentors. They nurture; they inspire; and they challenge and support learners of all ages from kindergarteners to adult learners. World Teachers' Day reminds us of the importance of public education. There are still 75 million children around the globe who do not have access to education and have been denied this fundamental right.

World Teachers' Day brings together governments, multi- and bilateral organisations, NGOs, private sectors, teachers and experts in the field of teaching. With the adoption of SDG 4 on education, and the dedicated target recognizing teachers as key to the achievement of the 2030 Education Agenda. It has become the occasion to mark achievements and reflect on ways to counter the remaining challenges for the promotion of the teaching profession, like the acute shortage of teachers. According to the UNESCO Institute of Statistics, the world needs 69 million teachers if we are to achieve universal primary and secondary education by 2030.ne

We strongly believe that World Teachers' Day should be internationally recognised and celebrated around the world. We aim to raise awareness of the importance of the role played by the teachers all over the world. The responsibility for educating future generations, especially young people is not a light one by any means, so we need to show our support for these dedicated and important people not just on teachers day, but throughout the year.

Therefore, let us empower the teachers

The writer is the Team leader Africa leadership Awards/Youth Activist