World Teacher's Day History
World Teacher's Day history is associated with the adoption of Recommendation concerning the status of teachers. Read on to know more about Happy World Teachers' Day origin.
On 5 October 1966, the world's teachers made a giant step forward. A Special Intergovernmental Conference adopted the UNESCO/ILO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. This Recommendation, for the first time ever, gave teachers, throughout the world, an instrument that defines their responsibilities and asserts their rights.
UNESCO inaugurated World Teacher's Day on 5th October 1994. This day was selected to commemorate the adoption of UNESCO/ILO joint Recommendation. World Teacher's Day also highlights the Recommendation concerning the Status of Higher Education Teaching Personnel. World Teacher's Day is celebrated in almost 100 countries. It lays emphasis on the achievements and contributions of the teachers around the world.
Education International strongly believes that World Teacher's Day should be internationally recognized and celebrated around the world. It also believes that, on this date, the principles of the 1966 and 1997 Recommendations should be considered for implementation in all nations. The efforts of Education International and its 348 member organizations have led to the wide spread recognition of World Teacher's Day. Every year, Education International launches a public awareness campaign to highlight the contributions of the teaching profession.
CONFUCIOUS, A GREAT TEACHER
Much of what is known about Confucius life is legendary. It is hard to separate facts from fiction. Confucius was born in 551 BCE in the city of Qufu, which was located in the Chinese State of Lu (now part of present-day Shandong Province). His original name was K'ung Ch'iu. Confucius was born into a poor family. His father was a commander of a district in Lu. But, Confucius nevertheless received a fine education. He was married at the age of 19 and had one son and two daughters.
Confucius taught in his school for many years. His theories and principles were spread throughout China by his disciples, and soon many people learned from his wise sayings. Some of Confucius quotes, famous around the world are:
• Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have.
• They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.
• It is not possible for one to teach others who cannot teach his own family.
• The superior man is modest in his speech but exceeds in his actions.
• He who merely knows right principles is not equal to him who loves them.
• To be able under all circumstances to practice five things constitutes perfect virtue; these five things are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness and kindness.
• We don't know yet about life, how can we know about death?
• Mankind differs from the animals only by a little, and most people throw that away.
• If you enjoy what you do, you'll never work another day in your life.
Confucius had no opportunity to put his theories to a public test until the age of 52. At 52, he was appointed magistrate of Chung-tu. The next year, he became Minister of crime of the state of Lu. His administration was successful; reforms were introduced, justice was fairly dispensed, and crime was almost eliminated. Lu became very powerful under Confucius. As a result, the ruler of a neighboring state maneuvered to secure the minister's dismissal.
Confucius left his office in 496 BC, traveling about and teaching, vainly hoping that some other prince would allow him to undertake measures of reform. In 484 BC, after a fruitless search for an ideal ruler, he returned for the last time to Lu. Confucius was then abandoned from his province and he wandered about China for 13 years. When Confucius was 69 years old, he returned to Lu, his home state.
Confucius died 3 years after settling in Lu - 479 BC. After Confucius died, he was buried in a grave in the city of Ch'uFu, Shandong. Today the site of his final resting place is the beautiful K'ung Forest.
When Confucius died, many people built temples in every city of China to honor him and his work. Since Confucius teachings and philosophy were so advanced, it became the education for China for 2,000 years. It is called Confucianism.
The word "teacher" in over 50 languages
AFRIKAANS Onderwyser
ALBANIAN Mesuese
ASTURIAN Maestru
AYMARA Yatichiri
AZERI Muelim
BASQUE Irakasle
BRETON Skolaer
CATALAN Mestre
CORSICAN Maestru
CROATIAN Nastavnik
CZECH Ucitel
DANISH Laerer
DUTCH Leraar
ENGLISH Teacher
ESPERANTO Instruisto
ESTONIAN Opetaja
FAEROESE Laerari
FINNISH Opettaja
FRENCH Professeur
FRISIAN Learaar
GALICIAN Mestre
GERMAN Lehrer
GUARANI Mbo’ehara
HUNGARIAN Tanar
ICELANDIC Kennari
INDONESIAN Guru
IRISH Muinteoir
ITALIAN Maestro
JAPANESE Sensei
JUDEO-SPANISH Maestro
KOREAN sun-saeng-nim
LADINO Maester
LATIN Magister
LATVIAN Skolotajs
MALAY Pengajar
MALTESE Lekcerer
MAORI Kaiwhakaako
NORWEGIAN Laerer
OCCITAN Regent
PAPIAMENTO Instruktor
POLISH Nauczyciel
PORTUGUESE Mestre
QUECHUA Yachachijj
ROMANIAN Invatator, Profesor
ROMANSH Magister
SAMOAN Faia’oga
SLOVAK Ucitel
SPANISH Maestro, Profesor
SWAHILI Malimu
TAGALOG Guro
WELSH Athro
YUCATEC Ka’nsah
ZULU Uthisha
