2022 WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY CELEBRATION

Today marks yet another momentous day for the noble profession of teaching as teachers all over the world gather to observe the annual celebration of the World Teachers’ Day. The day was inaugurated by the United Nations, Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on 5th October, 1994 to recognize and honour teachers for their invaluable role in the development of humanity and society.

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) joined other teachers’ Unions across the globe to mark the day on 5th October, 1997 at the University of Lagos. Since then, the celebration has turned to be a carnival of sort which affords teachers, governments, parents and guardians as well as friends and lovers of teachers and education to fraternize with teachers, assess achievements made in the education sector, identify challenges and proffer solutions for the Education sector to remain afloat.

This year’s celebration marks the 56th anniversary of the adoption of the ILO/UNESCO recommendations concerning the status of Teachers by a Special Inter-government Conference jointly convened by the international Labour Oraganisation (ILO) and UNESCO in Paris, France on 5th October, 1966. Interestingly, October 5 was chosen for the celebration of World Teachers’ Day in commemoration of the same day.

It is therefore necessary to use this day to immensely thank the great teachers of Nigeria and Anambra in particular for their resourcefulness, patriotism, courage and commitment to building the nation despite the odds associated with their patriotic career.

The theme of this year’s celebration is “The Transformation of Education begins with Teachers”. This theme is apt as it captures the situation in Nigeria.

The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, within his first six months in office has rejuvenated the public school system in the state. He has done this through the improvement of teachers welfare including prompt payment of teachers’ salary, the ongoing recruitment of five thousand teachers into the system that has been starved of new teachers for over seven years despite the retirements, deaths and voluntary withdrawal of some, listening to leaders of teachers in the state despite their levels, appointment of a seasoned academic and administrator as the Commissioner in – charge of the Ministry of Education, Payment of arrears of leave allowances owed secondary school teachers and payment of gratuities to retired teachers.

All these achievements will in no small measure spur teachers to explore and break new grounds for the benefit of the state school system It is generally said “To whom much is given , much is expected”. To reciprocate this state government’s favourable disposition, teachers are urged to be more dedicated to duty now than ever before. They should all bear in mind that they shall all give account of their stewardship to their creator, their employer, and the parents who have given their children to be trained.

Similarly, Ndi Anambra are also urged to join hands with the Government to improve on infrastructural facilities in our schools. Investment in this regard is more enduring and rewarding. All hands should be on deck to restore education in the state to its pride of place.