TEACHERS DAY : HISTORY AND IMPORTANCE OF THIS DAY

Teachers’ Day 2024: History and importance of this day

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With each person’s birth, they’re like raw clay in the hands of a potter, but it’s the guidance of a teacher that molds them into a valuable individual.

The first teacher of every human being is his mother and after that, during education, only a teacher takes a man to the heights of success.

Teachers play a vital role in shaping our lives, instilling knowledge, and guiding us toward success. Every year, on September 5th, we celebrate Teacher’s Day, recognizing the vital role educators play in our lives. It’s important to understand the history of the Day and its significance.

The History of Teachers’ Day

Its history can be traced back to various cultural and historical contexts. In many countries, including India, Teachers’ Day is celebrated on different dates to honor educators and their impact on society.

In India, Teachers’ Day is observed on September 5th, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a renowned philosopher, scholar, and India’s second President. Dr. Radhakrishnan had served the nation as a teacher for nearly 40 years. He believed in the importance of education and the pivotal role of teachers in shaping young minds.

When he became President, some of his students suggested celebrating his birthday as Teachers’ Day. However, Dr. Radhakrishnan humbly requested to commemorate the day as Teachers’ Day to honor all teachers. Dr. Sarvepalli used to say that the whole world is a school, where we keep learning something in every phase of life.

The tradition of celebrating Teachers’ Day in India began in 1962, in honor of Dr. Radhakrishnan’s distinguished contributions to education and his deep reverence for teachers. Since then, September 5th has been celebrated annually as Teachers’ Day in India.

Internationally, Teachers’ Day is recognized by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) as an opportunity to appreciate the pivotal role of teachers in promoting quality education and sustainable development. UNESCO emphasizes the importance of empowering teachers and ensuring they receive the support, recognition, and resources they need to thrive in their profession.

Read: Father’s Day: History, Importance, and Special Tips

Why We Celebrate Teachers’ Day? Importance

Teachers are the ones who illuminate our path from darkness to brightness in life. Teachers’ Day is a significant occasion where we express gratitude, acknowledge their contribution, and show appreciation for our educators.

It’s a day dedicated to thanking our teachers for their tireless efforts, patience, and guidance in shaping our future. We celebrate their dedication to imparting knowledge, instilling values, and inspiring students to become responsible citizens.

This Day provides us with an opportunity to express our love, respect, and appreciation for the profound impact they have on our lives.

How Students Celebrate Teachers’ Day

Schools and colleges across India organize various activities to celebrate Teachers’ Day, including:

  • Special presentations: Students prepare speeches, poems, and performances to express their gratitude to their teachers.
  • Gift-giving: Students often present cards, flowers, or small tokens of appreciation to their teachers.
  • Cultural programs: Schools organize cultural events like singing, dancing, and skits to celebrate the occasion.

Remember

While Teachers’ Day is a dedicated occasion to express our appreciation, it’s crucial to remember the importance of respecting and valuing our teachers throughout the year. We can show our appreciation by:

  • Maintaining good behavior and actively participating in class.
  • Completing assignments diligently and taking initiative in learning.
  • Seeking help and clarification when needed, demonstrating a willingness to learn.
  • Treating teachers with respect and courtesy both inside and outside the classroom.

List of teachers Day Dates by country/region

While many countries celebrate World Teachers’ Day on October 5th, established by UNESCO, other countries commemorate their own Teachers’ Day on various dates throughout the year.

Here’s a non-exhaustive list of some countries and their respective Teachers’ Day dates:

SerialCountry/RegionTeachers’ Day DateSchool Activity
1Afghanistan14 Mezan October 5 (3 Ordibehesht)Classes are running
2AlbaniaMarch 7No specific activity
3AlgeriaFebruary 28No specific activity
4ArgentinaSeptember 11Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
5BangladeshFebruary 5Classes are running
6BhutanMay 2ndClasses are replaced by celebratory programs
7BoliviaJune 6Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
8BrazilOctober 15Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
9BruneiSeptember 23Classes are running
10BulgariaMay 24Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
11CameroonOctober 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
12CanadaOctober 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
13ChileOctober 10Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
14ChinaSeptember 10Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
15ColombiaMay 15Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
16Costa RicaSeptember 15Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
17CubaDecember 1Classes are replaced by celebratory activities
18Dominican RepublicJune 30Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
19EcuadorApril 13Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
20EgyptMarch 24Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
21El SalvadorJune 22Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
22EstoniaMay 7Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
23EthiopiaNovember 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
24FinlandMay 1stClasses are replaced by celebratory programs
25FranceJune 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
26GermanyVaries by state (usually around October 5th)No specific activity
27GhanaOctober 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
28GreeceMay 9Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
29GuatemalaMay 1stClasses are replaced by celebratory programs
30GuyanaMay 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
31HondurasSeptember 17Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
32HungaryJune 1stClasses are replaced by celebratory programs
33IndiaSeptember 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
34IndonesiaNovember 25Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
35IranMay 2ndClasses are replaced by celebratory programs
36IraqMarch 1stClasses are replaced by celebratory programs
37IrelandJune 3rdClasses are replaced by celebratory programs
38IsraelFebruary 23Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
39ItalyMarch 18Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
40JamaicaMay 6Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
41JapanMarch 31Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
42JordanOctober 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
43KazakhstanSeptember 1stClasses are replaced by celebratory programs
44KenyaOctober 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
45KuwaitMarch 2ndClasses are replaced by celebratory programs
46LaosApril 29Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
47LebanonMarch 9Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
48LesothoOctober 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
49LiberiaFebruary 2ndClasses are replaced by celebratory programs
50LibyaMarch 27Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
51LithuaniaOctober 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
52LuxembourgOctober 2ndClasses are replaced by celebratory programs
53MadagascarMay 21Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
54MalawiOctober 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
55MalaysiaMay 16Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
56MaldivesOctober 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
57MaliOctober 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
58MaltaFebruary 2ndClasses are replaced by celebratory programs
59MauritiusOctober 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
60MexicoMay 15Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
61MongoliaMarch 1stClasses are replaced by celebratory programs
62MontenegroMarch 1stClasses are replaced by celebratory programs
63MoroccoFebruary 28Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
64MozambiqueNovember 1stClasses are replaced by celebratory programs
65MyanmarMay 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
66NamibiaOctober 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
67NepalFebruary 16Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
68NetherlandsOctober 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
69New ZealandOctober 29Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
70NicaraguaJune 29Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
71NigeriaOctober 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
72North KoreaSeptember 15Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
73NorwayOctober 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
74OmanFebruary 24Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
75PakistanSeptember 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
76PanamaOctober 17Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
77Papua New GuineaNovember 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
78ParaguayMay 11Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
79PeruJuly 4Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
80PhilippinesOctober 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
81PolandOctober 14Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
82PortugalOctober 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
83QatarFebruary 18Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
84RomaniaOctober 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
85RussiaOctober 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
86RwandaOctober 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
87Saudi ArabiaFebruary 23Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
88SenegalOctober 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
89SerbiaOctober 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
90SingaporeSeptember 1stClasses are replaced by celebratory programs
91SlovakiaMarch 28Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
92SloveniaOctober 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
93SomaliaOctober 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs
94South AfricaOctober 5Classes are replaced by celebratory programs

Conclusion

Teachers’ Day is a reminder of the immense contribution teachers make to society.

By celebrating their dedication and showing our appreciation, we can foster a positive learning environment and encourage them to continue their invaluable work in shaping future generations.

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