World Teachers' Day
World Teachers’ Day, held annually on 5th October, is an important event for the entire education community. Each year, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) participates in an event to celebrate World Teachers’ Day. The event this year will take place online.
Context: a year unlike any other
2020 has been a very challenging year for everyone and teachers are among those who have been particularly affected. The unprecedented school closures implemented across the world forced teachers to transition to emergency remote teaching and learning in a matter of days. In this difficult situation, teachers have been absolutely outstanding, going above and beyond the call of duty for their students. However, many have had to deal with increased workloads and stress while also trying to care for their own families.
The pandemic has exposed the fundamental inequalities that the TUI has been highlighting for years, including the chronic underfunding of education systems and the two-tier pay inequality that exists in our schools, colleges and centres. The pandemic has also demonstrated the essential role teachers and schools play in society. Parents/guardians now have a much better understanding and appreciation of teachers’ difficult and complex jobs.
Global solidarity: a 24-hour online celebration of teachers – 5th October
At this critical time, it is essential that teachers come together. To make this happen, Education International (EI) is hosting the biggest online meeting of teachers in history: a 24-hour live event spanning the globe. It is an opportunity for us to stand united as a profession, celebrate our achievements and mobilise to effect real change in schools and societies everywhere.
The online event will feature segments highlighting the specific priorities of teachers and their unions in Asia Pacific, Africa, the Arab countries, Europe, Latin America, North America and the Caribbean. The broadcast will also include global dialogues and interventions from key actors shaping the education sector, including United Nations officials, Ministers of Education and Presidents.
The event will start in the morning of October 5th in Asia Pacific and will wrap up 24 hours later in North America and the Caribbean.
Speakers include:
• Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organisation
• Audrey Azoulay, Director General, UNESCO
• Maria Ressa, Time Magazine Person of the Year, Rappler co-founder and CEO
• Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister, New Zealand
• Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations
• Kailash Satyarthi, Nobel Peace Prize laureate
• Andreas Schleicher, Director for the Directorate of Education and Skills, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
• Pasi Sahlberg, Professor of Education Policy, UNSW Sydney
Event website: www.5oct.org
The event website includes a registration form for participants. While participation is absolutely free and will not depend on registration, it is important to encourage teachers to register so that EI can determine how many teachers participated globally, in each country and even in each union.
Event Website: https://www.5oct.org
Event hashtag: #5octLive
Additional hashtag: #WorldTeachersDay
How to celebrate in your workplace?
To celebrate World Teachers’ Day in your workplace, the members of TUI in schools, colleges, institutes and centres are encouraged to mark the day. This might include the purchase of refreshments such as cakes/confectionery/fruit for members. The cost of purchase can be recouped from the local Branch by submitting receipts directly to the TUI Branch Treasurer.
Participate, celebrate and stay safe.
Ní neart go cur le chéile.