World Teachers’ Day, marked every year on October 5, is a global salute to educators and their indispensable role in shaping societies.

The date commemorates the adoption of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers — a landmark framework that set international standards for teachers’ rights, responsibilities and working conditions.

First celebrated in 1994, the day is now recognised in more than 100 countries through school activities, education ministry events, and global conferences, co-convened by UNESCO, the ILO, UNICEF and Education International.

Over the years, the commemoration has evolved from symbolic ceremonies to a powerful platform addressing pressing issues such as teacher shortages, low pay, lack of training, and the urgent need for systemic reform.

2025 theme: ‘Recasting teaching as a collaborative profession’

This year’s theme underscores the need to transform teaching from an isolated pursuit into a collaborative practice. UNESCO and its partners stress that true progress lies in enabling teachers to work as teams — through shared lesson planning, peer mentoring, and professional learning communities.

The model promises not only stronger student outcomes but also better teacher well-being and retention.

For education policymakers, the message is clear: collaboration requires structural change. That means building timetables that allow joint planning, embedding mentorship into teacher induction, funding school-based communities of practice, and reshaping accountability systems to reward collective success rather than individual competition.

Indian context: from burdened classrooms to collective practice

In India, where teachers often carry the pressure of large class sizes, vast syllabi, and limited professional development, the call for collaboration is especially resonant. Beyond workshops, systemic change would mean providing protected time for peer learning, building teacher-support centres at district and state levels, and embedding mentorship at scale.

India’s own Teachers’ Day: September 5

India separately celebrates Teachers’ Day on September 5 — the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, philosopher, scholar and India’s second President. When asked how his birthday should be marked, Radhakrishnan suggested it be celebrated instead as a day to honour teachers.

His enduring identity as an educator made the observance a cultural tradition, centred on gratitude and respect.

Two days, one spirit

While India’s September 5 celebration is a national tribute of affection, World Teachers’ Day on October 5 is a global stage for policy dialogue and systemic reform. Together, they underscore a shared truth: the profession that builds every other profession deserves recognition, investment and respect.