The theme for this year's World Teachers' Day is "Take a stand for teachers". This is a clear call to all stakeholders to acknowledge teachers' crucial role in transforming the lives of learners at all levels of education.


Moreover, the Day should be a time to reflect on the difficult economic and social context in which teachers work and find ways of improving their professional status and working conditions and those of all education personnel.


Enhancing the status of teachers


This year's WTD coincides with the eleventh session of the Joint ILO/UNESCO Committee of Experts on the Application of the Recommendations concerning Teaching Personnel (CEART). This will be held in Geneva, 08-12 October.


Two main Recommendations define international standards for the teaching profession: the ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers (1966) and the UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Higher Education Teaching Personnel (1997).


Governments worldwide claim to support the values and principles in the Recommendations. However, many do not actually demonstrate respect for the rights enshrined in them, nor do they implement policies that comply with them.


So, it is critically important that the CEART monitors the application of the Recommendations, ruling on violations of teachers' rights.


In Geneva, the Joint Committee will examine reports on the application of the Recommendations and communicate its findings to relevant authorities so that they can take appropriate action.


EI's commitment


EI will use the WTD, the CEART session, and other opportunities to highlight the state of the teaching profession and education worldwide and call for urgent corrective and proactive action.


"Teachers play a critical role towards the achievement of the Education for All goals by 2015, nurturing future generations and therefore ensuring the sustainable development of societies", said EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen.


"Highly trained, professionally qualified, and motivated teachers working in well-resourced and supportive environments can provide quality education to young people and adults."