Table of Contents
गुरु ब्रह्मा गुरु विष्णु गुरु देव महेश्वरः गुरु साक्षत परब्रह्म तस्मै श्री गुरवे नमः Meaning: “For us, teachers are the creator Brahma, the sustainer Vishnu, the teacher Maheshwar, the teacher is the direct Supreme Brahman. We bow down to such teachers and pay homage.” In this Sanskrit verse, teachers are praised as direct Gods.
Who are the Teachers?
🙏 Hello, dear and respected teacher friends who teach all over the world! I would like to wish you a happy World Teachers’ Day 2025. I am also a retired teacher after serving in the teaching profession for 42 years. I am going to write a short article in the context of World Teachers’ Day 2025. In this article, I would like to write a little bit based on my knowledge and experience, especially about the respect for teachers, the dignity of teachers in society, and the services provided to them.
Teachers are not just carriers of knowledge; they are sculptors of human consciousness. They do not just teach letters to students, but develop the ability to think, question, and make wise decisions. Teachers give students a life-oriented perspective, not just a book-oriented one. They are the ones who awaken the latent potential in a child and fill his life with meaning. This is why teachers are not only called “second parents” but also “human builders” because teachers teach human qualities and the art of life.
World Teachers Day 2025 and Teachers
Every year on October 5, International Teachers’ Day is celebrated all over the world. This day is not a simple formality, but a celebration related to the deep soul of human civilization. It is an opportunity to express gratitude to teachers who enlighten society and revive consciousness through education. A teacher is not just a profession; it is a means of building human values, conscience, and thought. Therefore, World Teachers’ Day was started to be celebrated in honor of teachers.
History of World Teachers Day
I would like to write something about the historical origins and background of International Teachers’ Day. It was a joint initiative of UNESCO and the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 1994. Its origins lie in the ILO/UNESCO Recommendation adopted in 1966, which sets international standards for the rights, professional status, remuneration, training, and protection of teachers. The aim is that these rules and facilities should be available to all teachers around the world.
This day not only commemorates the contribution of teachers, but also instills a common commitment to ensuring quality education, justice, and equal opportunities. Respect for teachers is an indicator of the level of moral awareness of a society. In a country where teachers are respected, the foundation of knowledge and development is strong. The country’s education sector becomes strong, and the society becomes
ideal.
Teachers as community leaders
In the context of Nepal, the role of teachers is even more sensitive and serious. In schools in rural and remote areas, teachers are lighting the lamp of education even amidst limited resources. Sometimes they become not only teachers, but also social workers, health counselors, and community leaders. But their lives are full of challenges. Despite low wages, temporary appointments, lack of training, and increasing administrative pressure, they have not stopped fulfilling their educational responsibilities.
professional organization of teachers
The main reason for the decline in the dignity of the teaching profession in Nepal is the establishment of rules for affiliation with various political parties. Due to such political party divisions, the professional organization of teachers is weak. If the teaching profession is to be dignified, political party organizations should be abandoned, and a single professional organization should be formed.
Education in Nepal is limited to formal structures. The essence of education has been weakened by the lack of importance given to local context, linguistic diversity, and cultural realities. By not involving teachers in policy-making, schools have often become like “dictator institutions.” This has not allowed teaching to become self-reliant and creative. Education reform is possible only by listening to the real experiences and needs of teachers.
The financial situation of teachers is also a matter that needs to be seriously considered. The teaching profession has become an economically vulnerable profession in many parts of the country. Many teachers are dissatisfied and frustrated due to low salaries and unstable employment. Similarly, political interference and division seem to be destroying the morale of good and capable teachers. Even when the education system talks about “quality improvement”, it has ignored the “quality of life of teachers”. Due to this long-term dedication to the profession is decreasing. The quality of education improves only when teachers feel self-respected, secure, and motivated. If the country’s education sector is to truly progress, teachers must be respected and have enough to support themselves financially.
Financial situation of teachers
The financial situation of teachers is also a matter that needs to be seriously considered. The teaching profession has become an economically vulnerable profession in many parts of the country. Many teachers are dissatisfied and frustrated due to low salaries and unstable employment. Similarly, political interference and division seem to be destroying the morale of good and capable teachers. Even when the education system talks about “quality improvement”, it has ignored the “quality of life of teachers”. Due to this, long-term dedication to the profession is decreasing. The quality of education improves only when teachers feel self-respected, secure, and motivated.
Today, education is not limited to classrooms and textbooks. Artificial intelligence and digital technology, and global access to information, have transformed the nature of teaching. In this context, the role of teachers has transformed from “informers” to “learning companions.” Teachers themselves must also continuously learn to develop critical thinking, creativity, and social responsibility in students. But Nepal’s education system is still exam-centric and textbook-dependent.
The practice of viewing teachers as “rule-following” employees is stifling a culture of innovation and independent thinking. International Teachers’ Day redefines the role of teachers as “the heart of human development.” Without teachers, no society can build the foundation of justice, equality, and peace. Teachers teach students not just knowledge, but values. They teach them to speak the truth, oppose wrongdoing, be tolerant, and practice coexistence. They are the ones who sow the seeds of conscience, compassion, and critical awareness in future citizens.
Teachers are also the bearers of world peace and humanity. When teachers teach students the value of unity in diversity, tolerance, and mutual respect, their impact extends beyond the walls of the school to society. Teachers help them to chart a journey from class boundaries to a common consciousness of the nation and humanity. This is why education is the common property of humanity, and teachers are the guardians of that property.
But the irony is that in many parts of the world, teachers are still given more responsibility than respect. They are forced to work amidst political interference, administrative burdens, and social neglect. Teachers who work under the control and mobilization of political parties affiliated with teacher and staff organizations, with a loose mentality, have defamed education and teachers themselves.
Therefore, it is imperative to abolish all teacher and staff organizations close to political parties and make the teaching profession and the education sector dignified and sacred. It is essential to recognize teachers as citizens who are not just “duty bearers” but also “participants in policy making.” Until a system is developed to hear the voices of teachers, the talk of education reform will remain hollow.
Teachers are Honorable
Teacher respect is not just about distributing awards, but also about bringing about changes in policies, behaviors, and living standards. Only if teachers can create a situation where they can live with self-respect can they inspire students equally. Financial security, professional autonomy, and opportunities for continuous professional development must be ensured.
The slogan of “education reform” is meaningless without implementing policies to empower teachers.
Respect for teachers is not just an individual, but a collective social responsibility. Parents, communities, and the media should view the role of teachers with respect and cooperation. Teachers should be empowered as mediators to reduce the gap between school and society. Teachers’ efforts will only be successful when society trusts them and listens to their voices.
Teachers are the backbone of human civilization. Their contributions are remembered for generations. They ignite the light of consciousness in society, instill a culture of love and tolerance, and instill a sense of responsibility and conscience in future generations. International Teachers’ Day sends a message that peace is not possible without education, and humanity is not possible without teachers.
Respecting teachers is not just about paying for their work; it is about investing in the future. Only when teachers are safe, empowered, and respected can they spread the values of wisdom, love, and peace in society. Teachers are the invisible force that builds bridges between ignorance and knowledge. They connect the past and the future, and inspire us to see the world as one family.
Therefore, celebrating International Teachers’ Day is not just a formality. It is a process of reawakening the spirit of human civilization. Only when there is equal investment in the respect of teachers and the quality of education can the dream of world peace, harmony, and prosperity become a reality. Expressing gratitude to teachers is about ensuring the future generations. Teachers are the lamps of knowledge whose light dispels darkness and whose consciousness shows the way to humanity.
Conclusion on World Teachers Day
World Teachers’ Day is celebrated every year on October 5. On this special day, the special and unparalleled contribution of teachers to the field of education is honored. It is also celebrated to highlight the importance of the teaching profession.
This day has been celebrated since 1994 in collaboration with UNESCO and the International Labor Organization (ILO). This day commemorates the “ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers” passed in 1966. It sets standards for the rights, responsibilities, training, employment, and learning conditions of teachers around the world.
The purpose of International Teachers’ Day
a. To show respect for excellent teachers.
b. To appreciate the contribution of teachers.
c. To indicate the important role of teachers in the country’s education system.
d. To improve the professional status of teachers. We all should manage teachers and the education sector with respect, with the consent of teachers, students, and parents.
Next Post:Quality Education