Teaching is one of the toughest, yet most important jobs in the world. A passionate teacher is the difference between a student just coasting through or achieving their full potential. At CGA, we greatly value our dedicated teachers who work tirelessly to ensure our students get the best virtual learning experience. Today we celebrate them!

What is World Teachers’ Day?

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) established a global event called World Teachers’ Day in 1994. Held each year on October 5, this holiday marks the anniversary of adopting the 1966 UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. This document laid the foundational standards regarding the rights and responsibilities of teachers. These included initial preparation, education, recruitment, employment, and learning conditions. UNESCO addressed teaching personnel in higher education in 1997 with a complementary document called the Recommendation concerning the Status of Higher-Education Teaching Personnel.

World Teachers’ Day was first observed in 1994. Today it’s celebrated each year on October 5.

How is World Teachers’ Day celebrated?

In partnership with Education International (EI), UNESCO builds a yearly campaign to help the world better understand the role of teachers in both the lives of students and society. This year, they are launching a five-day series of global and regional events that will focus on the pandemic’s effect on teachers. These events help educate the general public and equip teachers so they can reach their full potential.

This year’s celebrations coincide with the Joint ILO-UNESCO Committee of Experts on the Application of the Recommendations concerning Teaching Personnel (CEART) meeting.

More than 100 countries celebrate World Teachers’ Day. While the official worldwide holiday is October 5, each country may choose which day to celebrate.

Learn why our Executive Principal John Morris joined CGA here.

Want to know more about CGA’s faculty of excellence?

Our academic faculty have been rigorously vetted and thoughtfully selected for their inspiration, engagement and proven track record of outstanding student results. Their dedication, depth and passion for teaching inspires and builds confidence in students. Plus, they all believe in the importance of online learning for the future of education.

Our fully registered teachers are based around the world, including in New Zealand, the UK, Europe, the US, and beyond. They bring over 20 years of teaching experience. They have:

• Tutored National Olympiad teams
• Taught students that achieved the Top in Country and/or in the World for relevant subjects
• Educated students with perfect scores for the SATs, and more.

Why is World Teacher’s Day important?

World Teachers’ Day is important because it’s an annual opportunity to recognize teachers and how they’re helping and nurturing the young people of tomorrow. Each year, World Teachers’ Day has a unique theme to build awareness about the current teaching climate and recognize the immediate needs and challenges teachers currently face.

In 2020, UNESCO recognized the importance of reaffirming the value of the teaching mission. They called upon governments to help make teaching a first-choice profession for young people. They also celebrated “inclusive and equitable quality education” and “lifelong learning opportunities for all.”

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 World Teachers’ Day theme is “Teachers at the heart of education recovery.” This year’s theme focuses on how society can fully support teachers and contribute to the recovery process.