World Teachers’ Day Celebration 2021 Commemorated in Style
The country today celebrated the 2021 World Teachers’ Day in Honiara.
More than 50 schools in Honiara and Guadalcanal took part in the celebration.
The theme for this year’s World Teachers’ Day is “Teachers at the Heart of Change Today and Beyond.”
The theme recognizes teachers for their tireless efforts even during times like the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event commenced with an ecumenical fellowship at the Holy cross Cathedral in Honiara, followed by a parade march from the Holy Cross ground to the National Museum where the formal program was held.
Giving her remarks after the ecumenical fellowship, Minister for Education and Human Resources Development Hon. Lanelle Tanagada encouraged all teachers to put into practice the theme of this year’s celebrations to realize the needed change.
“The theme indeed calls for the need for change.
“Change must start first in each and every one of us as teachers either in school or at home,” Minister Tanagada said.
She continues, “Teachers have the responsibility to impact the lives of a student with good deeds.
“As teachers, we are not to condemn and criticize, it is to lift up our students,” the MEHRD Minister said.
In his remarks at the museum ground, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development Dr Franco Rodie said the World Teachers Day is a time for teachers to reflect on their important role and to celebrate their achievements.
“World Teachers Day provides a chance to celebrate teaching, and for communities to thank teachers.
“Teachers would use the occasion to reflect on their roles and to celebrate their achievements, while students and parents would recognize indispensable service provided by teachers in our country” PS Rodie said.
Due to their hardworking nature, teachers are known to help young children grow and learn, even in shaping the future generation.
With that, Dr Rodie describe teachers as the country’s national treasures.
“Teachers are pride and joy of any country.
“Teachers are truly a national treasure worth celebrating on this day.
“In this regard, I extend my Ministry’s appreciation to all our teachers in the country,” he added.
Also part of the celebration were retired teachers who were pioneers in the education service in the country.
For them, the World Teachers Day is a time that they were always looking forward to every year.
One of the retired teachers and senior citizen, Alfred Aihunu in an interview with SIBC emphasize on the importance of World teachers day.
Though he retired from the teaching service many yeas back, Mr. Aihunu felt that teaching is a profession that he will continue cherish and said there is no reason not to celebrate such an important day.
“Although I retired for teaching many years ago, I still feel that I am still part in the teaching service because of the fact that it is the profession that I chose back then.
“I always attend every celebrations that took place in Honiara and there is no reason not to celebrate this very important occasion,” He said.
More hundred teachers turn up to celebrate the World Teachers’ Day today.
The World Teachers’ Day is celebrated every year on October 5th as declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
by Simon Tavake