“A teacher is a compass that activates the magnets of curiosity, knowledge and wisdom in pupils” said Ever Garrison.
25 years have passed since UNESCO inaugurated 5 ¬October 1994 as the first World Teachers' Day. Over the years in Fiji, it has served as a special day of recognition and reflection, allowing us to mark our progress and consider ways to overcome challenges facing the teaching profession.
I ask that we all take a moment on this World Teachers’ Day to continue that tradition, taking a moment to appreciate the teaching profession's immense contribution to nation-building, and to celebrate the energy and passion of Fiji’s teachers –– the cornerstone of our education system.
The theme for 2019 World Teachers’ Day, “Young Teachers: The Future of the Profession,” recognises the critical importance of reaffirming the value of teaching as a career path –– not just to the teacher, or to the students whose lives they touch, but to our economy and the future of our country. This has been a guiding truth of our Government’s agenda, and it is what drives our efforts to make teaching a profession of choice for young graduates.
With the support of all of those who have helped fuel our ongoing education revolution by supporting our teachers –– school principals, parent-teacher associations, school management committees, education officials and teacher trainers –– we will continue to work towards achieving a teaching force of unprecedented talent and potential for the benefit of our students, our future.
I thank all of Fiji’s teachers for being the pillars of support that you are, and for putting the needs of our students above all else. With our students as our compass, we can have great faith in Fiji’s future.
I wish every teacher a very happy World Teachers’ Day.
Best wishes, and God bless.