World Teachers’ Day is held annually on 5 October to celebrate all teachers in all countries.  On October 5, 1966, ILO/UNESCO  approved the document titled Recommendation on the Status of Teachers. This established benchmarks identifying the rights and responsibilities of teachers.  It set standards for the initial preparation of teachers and expectations of their continuing education.  Additionally, it set goals for recruitment, employment, and teaching and learning conditions.  Thirty-one years later the ILO/UNESCO adopted a second document, Concerning the Status of Higher-Education Teaching Personnel. This was an effort to ensure the continuing education of teaching personnel in higher education.

World Teachers’ Day has been celebrated Internationally since 1994 however it is celebrated in different months and different ways.

Mother  Theresa’s understood the importance of sound teacher preparation: “When I teach others what I must instruct them in, I will have to first learn and practice myself.” 
( Trust and Dare #29). Former President of Turkey Mustafa Kemal Atatürk added this image: “A good teacher is like a candle – it consumes itself to light the way for others.”