World Teachers' Day
Next: October 5, 2027
Somebody taught you to read this.
The story
Where it comes from
World Teachers' Day has been held on 5 October since 1994, when UNESCO chose the date to commemorate the signing in 1966 of the ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers, the first international standard on teachers' rights, training and working conditions. It is organised by UNESCO with the ILO, UNICEF and Education International.
How it's celebrated
More than a hundred countries hold events; students write to former teachers, schools hold assemblies, and governments announce teacher awards. Many countries also keep a national Teachers' Day on a different date (Malaysia on 16 May, China on 10 September, India on 5 September), so this is the day for teachers everywhere at once.
Did you know
- UNESCO estimates the world needs 44 million more teachers by 2030 to give every child a primary and secondary education.
- In Malaysia, Hari Guru on 16 May marks the 1956 Razak Report that laid the foundations of the national education system.
- The Global Teacher Prize awards one million dollars to an exceptional teacher; its ceremony is not tied to World Teachers' Day.
Coming up next
- International Geodiversity Day · October 6, 2027
- World Cotton Day · October 7, 2027
- Chung Yeung Festival · October 8, 2027
- The First Implanted Pacemaker · October 8, 2027
- World Post Day · October 9, 2027
- Hangeul Day · October 9, 2027