Educators are urging the government to listen to their pleas when it comes to reform fatigue and lack of autonomy, stating that they deserve more than thanks.

Today the Malta Union of Teachers is celebrating the UNESCO and Educational International World Teachers’ Day, with people all over the world thanking educators’ efforts.

This year, teachers around the world are calling on all governments to invest in teachers, involve teachers, trust teachers and respect teachers.

The issues focused on this year are felt locally as well, with reform fatigue, lack of autonomy and an absence of real consultation on many changes affecting the education sector.

“There are many issues endemic to the education system which have been flagged time and time again throughout the years. Trusting and respecting teachers, and treating them as professionals, is not a matter of commemorating ‘World Teachers’ Day’ once a year but should be an in-built element of the system that awards expertise and quality,”  said MUT President Marco Bonnici.

The chosen UNESCO theme celebrates the critical role of teachers in transforming learners’ potential by ensuring they have the tools they need to take responsibility for themselves, for others and for the planet.

It is serving as a call on countries to ensure that teachers are trusted and recognized as knowledge producers, reflective practitioners, and policy partners.

“To truly celebrate World Teachers’ Day, we must go beyond thanking teachers. We must invest in quality public education systems,” Education International General Secretary David Edwards stated.

“We call on governments everywhere to invest in teachers, guarantee labour rights and good working conditions, involve teachers in decision-making, and trust their pedagogical expertise. The transformation starts with teachers. We are the beating heart of education.”

World Teachers’ Day is held annually on 5th October to celebrate all teachers around the globe. It commemorates the anniversary of the adoption of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers.

World Teachers’ Day has been celebrated since 1994, with the MUT being a member of Education International.

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