Tomorrow, the 5th of October 2010, UNATU will be joining millions of teachers, children, young people, parents, to celebrate World Teachers’ Day. This will pay tribute to the teaching profession and its unique role in promoting recovery from crises. The role of teachers has been vital to the social, economic and intellectual rebuilding of communities in which we all live and work.

About the World Teachers’ Day
World Teachers’ Day, held annually on 5th October since 1994, commemorates the anniversary of the signing in 1966 of the UNESCO/ILO Recommendations concerning the status of Teachers.  It is an occasion to celebrate the essential role of teachers in providing quality education at all levels.

Since 1997, with the signing of the UNESCO Recommendations on the status of Higher Education  Teaching Personnel, 5th October is also celebrated by colleagues in the Higher education and Research sector.
The World Teachers’ Day provides the opportunity to draw public attention to the role of teachers world-wide and their importance in building a better future for children of the world. In addition, World Teachers Day gives a platform to point out to the relevant stakeholders issues affecting teachers and education in general and lobby for appropriate actions to be undertaken.

This year’s theme is “Recovery begins with Teachers“  so if we are to recover from the economic crisis; conflicts & wars, school drop outs, natural disasters, low completion levels for girls, Gender Based Violence, Low learning results; Health and Safety, HIV & AIDS, Child Labour, Teacher Attrition, Bullying, the starting point of any form of recovery has to begin with the teachers.

As the union representing over 80,000 teachers in Uganda, Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) is proud to acknowledge the profound contribution of all teachers from pre-school to university. We are happy to have activists, representatives from the Civil Society, Education Development partners, Ministry of Education & Sports and the line Ministries, political and religious leaders and people from all walks of life across the globe joining us in recognising the contribution of teachers.

Being a teacher means belonging to the most valuable profession. Wherever communities face hardship, teachers are immediately present on the frontline to help promote recovery. Sadly, in our country, being a teacher means being paid a low salary, sometimes being treated unfairly, and working in poor conditions.

Despite these challenges, teachers continue giving to society by teaching and improving the life chances of millions of learners. As UNESCO confirms: ‘Without teachers’ input to shape education reforms, recovery processes are not likely to achieve all their goals’.

The recognition of teachers is something UNATU would like to enhance. At the union level, UNATU initiated a process in previous celebrations through the Educators of Excellence Award. This recognition is intended to run throughout the year in which the deserving teachers will be identified right from school, through the district, region, to the national.  This process will lead to the climax on the 5th October every year; which should be designated and declared a National Public holiday. This is an initiative we feel the Government should take up seriously.

The process will boost the inspection process which by design is supposed to support and recognise the teachers’ progress.

I thank the teachers once again for the good work done and pray that the good will be translated into the good life of teachers in this country.

FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE TEACHERS OF UGANDA

NATIONAL CHAIRPERSON
UGANDA NATIONAL TEACHERS’ UNION