Education should be a first-choice career for top students. Tertiary institutions that train teachers as well as schools that appoint young educators should be focused on attracting top achievers to the profession. This is why the theme of this year’s celebration of World Teachers’ Day is “Young teachers – the future of the profession”.

The United Nations celebrates World Teachers’ Day annually on 5 October. This year South Africans can honour teachers together with the rest of the world through a variety of projects on Friday, 4 October 2019.

“The role of education in the success of society is well-known and it is confirmed through a number of policy documents, including South Africa’s National Development Plan and Agenda 2030 that sets out the UN’s development goals,” says Mr Paul Colditz, CEO of the Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools (FEDSAS). “Experience has taught us that educators are the most important link in the education chain. All other aspects, from policy to governance to curricula, are dependent on the quality of teachers,” says Colditz.

This year FEDSAS is honouring young teachers who, despite often difficult circumstances, are present in their classrooms and putting the needs of their learners first. “Education is not easy. Apart from challenges with resources and other environmental factors, a large responsibility rests on the shoulders of teachers with parents entrusting their children to the care of teachers on a daily basis.”

Colditz says it is important to look at aspects that influence young people’s decision to choose education as a career. “As role-players we have to ensure that the best young South Africans choose to become teachers. The future of education and the future of the country depend on this.”

FEDSAS is calling on everyone to celebrate the role of teachers, both young and old, in their lives. On social media the hashtag #ThankyouTeacher can be used.