Teachers’ International Day falls on 5th October every year. It was introduced in 1994 by UNESCO to give teachers their duly deserved status, acknowledging their important contribution in shaping our society.
While we celebrate Father, Mother, Brother and Sister’s Day (Rakshabandhan) with enthusiasm and gusto, “Teachers’ Day” is somehow buried deep in International Calendar of worthwhile days we have put on world map, through UN, to cherish, appreciate and celebrate their contribution.
We also greatly appreciate and admire contribution made by other professionals, like doctors, nurses, actors and actresses, sports personalities who earn millions and enjoy a God like status, that include our favourite cricketers like Virat Kholi, Sachin Tendulkar, Ian Botham, footballers Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, late Bobby Moor who captained World Cup winning English team in 1966 and many more.
I remember well how our teachers used to enjoy elevated status back in East Africa, just after the end of WW2, when teachers could do no wrong in the eyes of our parents, although we had couple of maniac teachers who used to enjoy corporal punishment delivered with gusto, so often on the tiniest excuse, although by far vast number of teachers were kind, caring and devoted to their profession, treating children with respect.
This year’s prestigious award was won by Kenyan science teacher that carries financial reward of one million dollar. This is huge reward for someone residing in an African country where a dollar’s purchasing power is some ten times more than in Western world.
Bhupendra M. Gandhi
By email
