World Teachers’ Day Today: 100 Teachers to Receive Honours in Bangladesh

PNN News Desk. Dhaka

A teacher’s work is not limited merely to teaching lessons in the classroom. Teachers play an important role in shaping students’ thoughts, values and future. To highlight these contributions as well as the importance of teachers’ professional rights, dignity and working conditions, World Teachers’ Day is observed every year on October 5.

This year, the significance of the day is particularly notable. In 2026, it marks 60 years since the adoption of an internationally important recommendation concerning the status and rights of teachers in 1966. Over these six decades, the education system has undergone major changes. From the expansion of technology to new realities such as climate change, inclusive education and displacement, teachers’ responsibilities and challenges have also increased.

On October 5, 1966, at a special intergovernmental conference on the status of teachers held in Paris, the capital of France, UNESCO and the International Labour Organization (ILO) jointly adopted the “Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers.”

The recommendation brought various important issues related to the teaching profession within an international framework. It provided policy guidance on teachers’ rights and responsibilities, initial and continuing training, recruitment procedures, conditions of service and environments suitable for teaching.

Later, as education systems evolved, the scope of the teaching profession also expanded. In 1997, UNESCO adopted a separate recommendation focusing on the status and rights of teachers working in higher education.

Earlier, in 1994, UNESCO decided to observe October 5 as World Teachers’ Day. Since then, the day has been observed around the world as an occasion to recognize teachers’ contributions and professional status.

Six decades later, the realities of the teaching profession have changed significantly around the world. The rapid expansion of digital technology has transformed teaching methods, while climate change, migration and displacement, and the growing need for inclusive education have added new dimensions to teachers’ responsibilities.

According to UNESCO’s observations, many teachers are having to take on additional responsibilities to keep pace with these changes. At the same time, questions remain in many countries regarding teachers’ salaries, working conditions, professional independence and opportunities to participate in policymaking.

Excessive working hours, a lack of adequate support and unfavorable working environments are making the teaching profession increasingly difficult in many cases. As a result, this year’s discussions are focusing not only on teachers’ contributions but also on ensuring their professional security and dignity.

The theme of this year’s World Teachers’ Day is “Standing with teachers: Protecting the profession, elevating its dignity and 60 years of shaping our future.” Through this theme, emphasis has been placed on providing teachers with greater support in a changing world and strengthening their professional status.

A global event marking World Teachers’ Day will be held on October 5 at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. High-level discussions are expected to take place on the dignity, rights and future of the teaching profession. The ninth edition of the UNESCO-Hamdan Prize for Teacher Development will also be presented at the same event.

Bangladesh has also taken a special initiative to mark World Teachers’ Day this year. Under the government’s “World Teachers’ Day Celebration Policy-2026,” a decision has been made to nationally honour 100 distinguished teachers from different levels of education across the country.

Previously, 12 teachers were honoured at the national level. This year, that number has been significantly increased to 100.

Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Haque Milan said each selected teacher would receive a prize of Tk 100,000 on October 5. They will also receive an honour certificate and a crest.

Officials concerned said the main objective of the initiative is to provide national recognition to teachers’ contributions and encourage them in their professional work.

A teacher does not simply complete a lesson in the classroom; in many cases, a teacher reshapes a student’s entire world of thought. That knowledge, thinking and values later spread into different areas of society.

Therefore, World Teachers’ Day is not merely a day to extend greetings to teachers. It also reminds society of its responsibility toward teachers’ rights, dignity, safe working environments and their role in shaping future generations. Sixty years after the international initiative of 1966, that message has become even stronger in 2026.