World Teacher Day, UNESCO Director-general Elaine Bokova: Celebrating World Teacher Day is significant

Education begins with teachers, Renaissance begins with teachers--interview with UNESCO Director-General Bokova

Xinhua Paris October 5, Xinhua (reporter Tang Yu) October 5 is the World Teacher Day. Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, after finishing her keynote speech on the day at the Paris headquarters, told Xinhua that education began with teachers and that the revival began with teachers and that it was important to celebrate World Teacher Day.

Bokova said the theme of this year's World Teacher Day is "revival begins with teachers". She said that this year, the world has been a lot of natural disasters, teachers in post-disaster reconstruction plays an increasingly important role, and the hard living environment of teachers in the disaster area has aroused widespread concern in the community. For example, the earthquake in Haiti at the beginning of the year caused a fatal blow to the local education system, with more than 1300 teachers and educators tragically killed in the quake. In the recent floods in Pakistan, the affected population reached 21 million, and over 10,000 school buildings were damaged. The impact of the slowdown in global economic growth on teachers ' careers is also a cause for concern.

Bokova said that she had just visited the "tribute to Teachers" photo exhibition organized by UNESCO and was very touched. These photos capture the harsh teaching environment of teachers in disaster-stricken and war-torn areas, and their efforts to get children to enjoy the right to education.

"Education begins with teachers," Bokova told reporters. Today, in the field of education, new technologies and means of communication play an important role, but none of them can replace the role of a good teacher. The revival began with teachers, who made important contributions to post-disaster reconstruction after the earthquake in Haiti and the floods in Pakistan. In the disaster, war-stricken areas, teachers have the courage to the risk of large, material poor, disadvantaged areas of service, to the weak to lend a helping hand, with education to stimulate their vision of a better life. Teachers bring hope and security to children, thus reducing the impact of conflict, disaster and displacement on children. ”

She stressed: "Teachers are the builders of peace, they have made an indelible contribution to the reconstruction of the people after the disaster through the promotion of respect, tolerance, mutual understanding and solidarity." ”

Bokova pointed out that in the disaster area and the war-torn areas of teachers living environment is difficult and dangerous, this must arouse the international community's high priority. Governments should take vigorous measures to improve the treatment of teachers, uphold their rights and strengthen teacher training, and further promote the achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and EFA goals.

Bokova also expressed her blessings to Chinese educators. "China is growing fast and the country is so vibrant that I feel it is benefiting from educational efforts," she said. I wish to express my heartfelt congratulations and thanks to the Chinese teachers who have given their children their painstaking efforts. ”

A recommendation on the status of Teachers was signed by UNESCO and the International Labour Organization (ILO) on October 5, 1966. To commemorate this day, the October 5 of each year has been identified as "World Teacher Day" since 1994.