World Teachers’ Day 2021: History, theme, significance, why is it celebrated?

NEW DELHI: World Teachers' Day 2021 or International Teachers' Day is observed every year on October 5 to celebrate teachers around the globe. More than 100 countries commemorate World Teachers' Day and India celebrates Teachers' Day every year on September 5 on the birth anniversary of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.

World Teachers’ Day: Why is it celebrated

World Teachers' Day introduced by UNESCO in 1994 aims to focus on appreciating, assessing and improving the educators of the world and to provide an opportunity to consider issues related to teachers and teaching.

The day also marks the anniversary of the adoption of the 1966 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)/ International Labour Organization (ILO) recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers.

World Teachers Day 2021 Theme

The World Teachers’ Day 2021 theme for this year is “Teachers at the heart of education recovery”.

“One and a half years into the COVID-19 crisis, the 2021 World Teachers’ Day will focus on the support teachers need to fully contribute to the recovery process under the theme Teachers at the heart of education recovery,” UNESCO said.

World Teachers Day 2021 celebration

The UNESCO will be organising a five-day series of global and regional events will showcase the effect that the pandemic has had on the teaching profession, highlight effective and promising policy responses, and aim to establish the steps that need to be taken to ensure that teaching personnel develop their full potential.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, “Long before I served at the UN or held any public office, I was a teacher - one of the most enriching experiences of my life. Teachers play a crucial role in society. Their work must be appreciated & valued. To all educators worldwide: Thank you and happy #WorldTeachersDay!”

Long before I served at the @UN or held any public office, I was a teacher - one of the most enriching experiences of my life.

Teachers play a crucial role in society. Their work must be appreciated & valued.

To all educators worldwide: Thank you and happy #WorldTeachersDay! pic.twitter.com/fk7cnEoS7y

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) October 5, 2021

The UN, in a tweet, said, “On Tuesday's #WorldTeachersDay we pay tribute to the invaluable contribution of teachers to students, communities and societies. It's vital that teachers are heard, supported & empowered.”

On Tuesday's #WorldTeachersDay we pay tribute to the invaluable contribution of teachers to students, communities and societies.

It's vital that teachers are heard, supported & empowered. https://t.co/ghcdiXJxZo pic.twitter.com/yTSUQSwEUU

— United Nations (@UN) October 5, 2021

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