The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, commonly known by its abbreviation ‘UNESCO’, celebrates World Teachers’ Day every year on October 5.
The day commemorates the signing of the 1966 ILO-UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. The recommendation was aimed at setting the standards for education personnel policy, recruitment, and initial training as well as the continuing education of teachers, their employment, and working conditions.
The recommendation was adopted by a special intergovernmental conference convened by UNESCO in Paris on October 5, 1966. It is regarded as a landmark document that helped to improve the working conditions and status of teachers around the world.
Each year, UNESCO sets a theme to highlight an issue pertaining to the teaching profession and teachers- for the member nations to work on.
The 2023 theme is “The Teachers We Need For The Education We Want: The Global Imperative To Reverse The Teacher Shortage.” It is aimed at raising awareness of the global teacher shortage and advocating for policies that will attract and retain more teachers.
According to multiple independent research bodies, and even the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), the nodal body responsible for assisting and advising the Central and State Governments on policies and programmes for qualitative improvement in school education, India has a shortage of over 10 lakh teachers in primary and secondary schools. This shortage is particularly acute in rural areas.
The teacher shortage has a number of negative consequences for the Indian education sector. It leads to overcrowded classrooms, increased workload for teachers leading to high attrition rates, and reduced attention for students. It consequently contributes to the high dropout rate in Indian schools.
Despite the challenges of shortage and other issues, teaching is a noble profession that is worth pursuing. Teachers have the power to shape the minds of future generations and make a real difference in the world. Here are five compelling reasons to choose teaching as a career option.
Continuous scope for improvement and learning
Teaching and learning go hand in hand. The daily interaction with curious, young minds motivates educators to push themselves further and enhance their skills. The dynamic nature of education, with its constant evolution and changing subject matter, encourages teachers to stay updated. Whether adapting to online teaching or staying current with educational trends, teachers continuously upskill themselves.
Offers attractive pay packages
Over the years, salaries for teachers have improved significantly, offering attractive packages that reflect the growing acceptance of the importance of the profession. Multiple reports suggest that salaries across different levels of teaching have improved significantly, such as a starting salary of Rs. 3.5-4 LPA for pre-primary and primary school teachers. The pay increases significantly as a teacher increases their experience with higher secondary and senior secondary teachers’ salaries ranging between 4.5 to 5.5 LPA. For college and university professors in India, the average salary is around Rs. 7-8LPA in government institutions. In private institutions, it can vary and go up to 10 LPA. There are multiple other perks and benefits that professors and school teachers enjoy.
It’s a true vocation
Similar to doctors, nurses, and veterinarians, educators often find that teaching goes beyond the boundaries of conventional employment. The deep sense of purpose and fulfilment derived from nurturing young minds set teaching apart from most other professions. Teaching becomes more than just earning a living; it becomes a true vocation.
Lends the power to make a difference
Teaching offers an opportunity to make a difference in students’ lives. Many educators choose this profession because they aspire to leave a mark on their students. Witnessing the visible progress in students’ abilities and knowing that you are a key contributor to their growth instils each day with a sense of pride and fulfilment.
Offers challenges and variety every day
A teaching career is far from monotonous. While there may be a general schedule to follow, each day presents new tasks and challenges. Teachers constantly develop fresh strategies to approach classroom material, create engaging activities, and adapt to unexpected classroom situations. These consistent challenges and diverse tasks keep educators engaged, sharpening their adaptability and fostering creative thinking skills.
The day commemorates the signing of the 1966 ILO-UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. The recommendation was aimed at setting the standards for education personnel policy, recruitment, and initial training as well as the continuing education of teachers, their employment, and working conditions.
The recommendation was adopted by a special intergovernmental conference convened by UNESCO in Paris on October 5, 1966. It is regarded as a landmark document that helped to improve the working conditions and status of teachers around the world.
Each year, UNESCO sets a theme to highlight an issue pertaining to the teaching profession and teachers- for the member nations to work on.
The 2023 theme is “The Teachers We Need For The Education We Want: The Global Imperative To Reverse The Teacher Shortage.” It is aimed at raising awareness of the global teacher shortage and advocating for policies that will attract and retain more teachers.
According to multiple independent research bodies, and even the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), the nodal body responsible for assisting and advising the Central and State Governments on policies and programmes for qualitative improvement in school education, India has a shortage of over 10 lakh teachers in primary and secondary schools. This shortage is particularly acute in rural areas.
The teacher shortage has a number of negative consequences for the Indian education sector. It leads to overcrowded classrooms, increased workload for teachers leading to high attrition rates, and reduced attention for students. It consequently contributes to the high dropout rate in Indian schools.
Despite the challenges of shortage and other issues, teaching is a noble profession that is worth pursuing. Teachers have the power to shape the minds of future generations and make a real difference in the world. Here are five compelling reasons to choose teaching as a career option.
Continuous scope for improvement and learning
Teaching and learning go hand in hand. The daily interaction with curious, young minds motivates educators to push themselves further and enhance their skills. The dynamic nature of education, with its constant evolution and changing subject matter, encourages teachers to stay updated. Whether adapting to online teaching or staying current with educational trends, teachers continuously upskill themselves.
Offers attractive pay packages
Over the years, salaries for teachers have improved significantly, offering attractive packages that reflect the growing acceptance of the importance of the profession. Multiple reports suggest that salaries across different levels of teaching have improved significantly, such as a starting salary of Rs. 3.5-4 LPA for pre-primary and primary school teachers. The pay increases significantly as a teacher increases their experience with higher secondary and senior secondary teachers’ salaries ranging between 4.5 to 5.5 LPA. For college and university professors in India, the average salary is around Rs. 7-8LPA in government institutions. In private institutions, it can vary and go up to 10 LPA. There are multiple other perks and benefits that professors and school teachers enjoy.
It’s a true vocation
Similar to doctors, nurses, and veterinarians, educators often find that teaching goes beyond the boundaries of conventional employment. The deep sense of purpose and fulfilment derived from nurturing young minds set teaching apart from most other professions. Teaching becomes more than just earning a living; it becomes a true vocation.
Lends the power to make a difference
Teaching offers an opportunity to make a difference in students’ lives. Many educators choose this profession because they aspire to leave a mark on their students. Witnessing the visible progress in students’ abilities and knowing that you are a key contributor to their growth instils each day with a sense of pride and fulfilment.
Offers challenges and variety every day
A teaching career is far from monotonous. While there may be a general schedule to follow, each day presents new tasks and challenges. Teachers constantly develop fresh strategies to approach classroom material, create engaging activities, and adapt to unexpected classroom situations. These consistent challenges and diverse tasks keep educators engaged, sharpening their adaptability and fostering creative thinking skills.