October 5- World Teachers’ Day 2024: Valuing Teacher Voices Globally

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World Teachers’ Day, celebrated annually on October 5, honors the invaluable contributions of teachers around the globe. This day commemorates the anniversary of adopting the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers, which outlines essential benchmarks regarding teachers’ rights, responsibilities, and working conditions. The 2024 theme, “Valuing Teacher Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education,” emphasizes the need for inclusive dialogue in education reform and addressing systemic challenges faced by teachers. This year, the global event co-convened by UNESCO, ILO, and UNICEF will focus on integrating teachers’ perspectives into policy-making and improving their professional development.

The event will also feature high-level discussions, a keynote address, and the awarding of the UNESCO-Hamdan Prize for Teacher Development. The overarching aim is to encourage policymakers to listen to educators and ensure that teaching conditions are aligned with the goal of a more equitable and resilient education system worldwide.

The Education Crisis in Conflict Zones: Focus on the Middle East
As we celebrate World Teachers’ Day, it’s essential to highlight the severe challenges teachers and students face in conflict-affected areas, particularly in the Middle East. Millions of children in regions like Gaza, Sudan, Yemen, and Lebanon have been deprived of their right to education due to ongoing violence and instability.

For instance, Gaza has seen massive destruction of its educational infrastructure, leaving over 625,000 children without access to schools and displacing over 21,000 teachers. According to UNICEF, nearly 93% of Gaza’s schools have been heavily damaged, and 85% require complete reconstruction. This crisis has not only affected academic progress but also left almost 1.2 million children in urgent need of psychological and social support. Similarly, Sudan’s ongoing internal conflict has disrupted education for over 19 million children, with 12.5 million recently displaced. Without immediate action, this crisis could lead to long-term intergenerational consequences, both educational and economic.

In Yemen, over 2.7 million children are currently out of school, with nearly 2,800 educational institutions destroyed or repurposed due to years of war. In Lebanon, economic and political turmoil has further exacerbated the educational crisis, forcing countless students to drop out. Teachers in these regions are often left without adequate support, facing risks to their safety and well-being as they strive to provide children with even the most basic education.

Investing in Teachers to Rebuild Futures
The widespread educational disruptions in conflict zones underscore the urgent need for global action to support teachers and rebuild educational infrastructure. As UNICEF warns, millions of children are at risk of being permanently denied access to learning, which could have devastating consequences for future generations.

Investing in teachers is key to breaking this cycle. Without sufficient support, both in terms of safety and resources, teachers in conflict zones cannot effectively perform their roles. In places like Gaza, Sudan, and Yemen, where the situation is particularly dire, immediate efforts must focus on both humanitarian aid and long-term strategies to rebuild and strengthen education systems.

On this World Teachers’ Day, let us not only celebrate the dedication of teachers but also commit to amplifying their voices in the decision-making process, ensuring their safety, and providing them with the tools they need to educate and inspire future generations. Teachers are the backbone of society, and by investing in their development, we invest in a brighter, more stable future for all.

By: Touska Gholami Khaljiri