A teacher is an educator, a guide, a friend, or a philosopher who opens our minds and helps us understand the world around us better. The contributions of teachers in society cannot go unnoticed. Teachers’ Day, also known as International Teachers’ Day, is an annual celebration across the globe to acknowledge, evaluate, empower, and appreciate teachers.

According to UNESCO, Teachers’ Day celebrations are all about reminding society that ‘the right to education means the right to a qualified teacher’. To mark this day, UNESCO and Education International (EI) hold annual campaigns with yearly themes to assist people in comprehending the integral role teachers and other professional educators play in educational institutions and the society as well.

Here’s all the information you need to know about Teachers’ Day.

• What is the origin of Teachers' Day?
• When is Teachers' Day celebrated across the World?

What is the origin of Teachers' Day?

Teacher’s Day, also commonly referred to as International Teachers Day or World Teachers Day, is an annual observance on October 5th that promotes assessing, appreciating, and improving the educators of the world and amassing attention to the issues that affect teachers and other education professionals around the globe.

Teachers’ Day was established in 1994 in honour of the adoption of the 1996 UNESCO/ILO Recommendation Concerning the Status of Teachers. This Recommendation provided the precedence of education standards, recruitment and initial training, personnel policy, including the continuing education of teachers, their employment and working conditions.

When is Teachers' Day celebrated across the World?

To celebrate Teacher’s Day, Education International and UNESCO, in partnership with private sector businesses such as media organizations, organize annual campaigns to ensure the world has a better comprehension of teachers and the roles they play in the development of students and the society. Every year these campaigns focus on different themes.

According to UNESCO, everyone can achieve the mission of Teachers’ Day by celebrating the profession, creating awareness about teacher-related issues and ensuring that respect for teachers is the norm. During Teachers’ Day celebrations, schools and students prepare an event for teachers; this can include anything from creating appreciation cards, preparing food, cookies, music, concerts and much more.

According to Education International (EI), this day should be celebrated internationally and the standards of the 1966/97 suggestions considered for execution in all countries across the globe. Although Teachers’ Day is a worldwide annual observance on October 5th, the dates slightly differ in some countries. This is because in most cases, this day was established in honour of a local educator or a significant milestone in education.

Countries that celebrate World Teachers’ Day on October 5th include:

Countries that celebrate Teachers’ Day on February 28th include:

Other variations of Teachers’ Day Dates by country:

1. Afghanistan

In Afghanistan, Teachers’ Day is celebrated on 3 Saur (3 Ordibehesht), according to the Solar Hijri calendar.

2. Albania

Teachers’ Day is observed on March 7th to celebrate the opening of the first school in 1887, which instructed lessons using the Albanian language.

3. Argentina

In Argentina, Teachers Day is observed on September 11th in commemoration of Domingo F Sarmiento, President of Argentina, who made primary education mandatory and developed over 800 military and educational institutions, including teachers’ schools, public libraries, established infrastructure and promoted immigration. In 1943, an Interamerican Conference on education, held in Panama institutionalized September 11 as the Panamerican Teachers’ Day.

4. Armenia

Initially, Teachers’ Day was observed on the first Sunday of October. However, following a decision to amend the laws on the Republic of Armenia Holidays and Commemoration Days by the parliament, the holiday was moved to October 5th.

5. United States

In the US, National Teachers’ Day is celebrated on Tuesday during Teacher Appreciation Week which is observed during the first week of May.

6. Turkey

In Turkey, International Teachers’ Day is observed on November 24th in celebration of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s official acceptance of the title of the headteacher of the nation’s schools. Ataturk was the founding father of the Turkish Republic.

7. Spain

In Spain, Teachers’ Day is celebrated on November 27th.

8. South Korea

In South Korea, International Teachers Day celebrations were initiated by a group of Red Cross youth members who visited their sick former teachers in hospitals on May 26th, until 1965 when it was moved to May 15th, on Sejong the Great’s birthday.

9. Slovakia

In Slovakia, International Teachers’ Day is observed on March 28th in celebration of the birthday of John Amos Comenius who was considered the father of modern education.

10. Singapore

Teachers’ Day in Singapore is an official holiday observed on the first Friday of September where students get half a day off on the day before the holiday.

11. Poland

In Poland, this day is observed on October 14th in celebration of the establishment of the Commission of National Education which was founded in 1773.

12. Mexico

On May 15th all schools in Mexico are expected to pause regular activities and organize cultural events that promote the significance and nobility of the role teachers play.

13. Indonesia

National Teachers’ Day in Indonesia is observed on November 25th in celebration of the Indonesian Teachers’ Association, the PGRI, which was formed on the same day.

14. Hong Kong

Initially, before the transfer of power in 1997, Teachers’ Day was celebrated on September 28th. However, after the transfer of sovereignty to PRC, it was moved to September 10th.

15. Greece

In Greece, this day originated from the Eastern Orthodox faith when the Three Holy Hierarchs and Ecumenical teachers were celebrated. Teachers’ Day is observed on January 30th.

16. Oman

In Oman, this day is observed on February 24th.

17. China

In China, students participate in activities to show appreciation to teachers every September 10th.

18. India

Guru Purnima, which is an Indian celebration dedicated to spiritual and academic teachers, is observed during the full moon day of Ashadha and on September 5th. In India, this day is used to show respect and express gratitude to teachers.

19. Vietnam

The Vietnamese Educators’ Day is observed on November 20th in commemoration of a 1957 meeting between educators in communist bloc nations in Warsaw.

20. Thailand

In Thailand, this day is observed on January 16th following a decision by the government on November 21, 1956. January 16th symbolizes the enactment of the Teacher Act, Buddhist Era 2488 (1945). Most schools in Thailand are closed on this day.