Countries Different, Days Different, but the Spirit of Honouring Teachers is Same
Teachers Determine the Direction and Destiny of a Nation
- Shweta Goyal
Every year on 5 September, India celebrates ‘Teachers’ Day’ with respect and gratitude, remembering the important role of teachers in nation-building. This day is not merely an occasion to formally express respect for teachers, but also a day to pay tribute to the great tradition that has always accorded the highest place to knowledge, values, wisdom and character-building in Indian society. In India, Teachers’ Day is associated with the birth anniversary of the country’s second President, the great philosopher, educationist and thinker, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. He was born on 5 September 1888 into an ordinary and economically constrained Brahmin family in the then Madras Presidency. Despite difficult circumstances, through his talent, devotion to learning and indomitable curiosity, he attained such heights in the field of philosophy that he came to be counted among the foremost philosophers and educationists of India as well as the world. The life of Dr. Radhakrishnan was an example of extraordinary dedication to education and teaching. After receiving higher education, he made teaching an important part of his life and taught philosophy at prestigious institutions such as Madras Presidency College, the University of Mysore, the University of Calcutta and Banaras Hindu University. He also gave influential interpretations of Indian philosophy and thought abroad and taught philosophy at the University of Oxford.
Having remained associated with the field of education and teaching for nearly four decades, Dr. Radhakrishnan was highly respected and popular among students. In 1962, when he became the President of India, some of his former students and admirers expressed their desire to celebrate his birthday. Instead of a personal birthday celebration, he suggested that the day be transformed into an occasion to honour teachers. He believed that if his birthday were celebrated in honour of teachers, it would be a far greater honour for him. In accordance with this sentiment, the tradition of celebrating Teachers’ Day in India began on 5 September 1962. Dr. Radhakrishnan was not only a great teacher and philosopher but also an able statesman and an influential personality in public life. He served as the Vice President of India and later became the President. He made a significant contribution to establishing Indian philosophy on the global stage. In recognition of his exceptional contributions and service to the nation, he was honoured with the ‘Bharat Ratna’, one of the country’s highest civilian awards. Teachers’ Day pays tribute not only to his personality but also to India’s great Guru tradition, in which a teacher is regarded not merely as someone who teaches lessons, but as a guide who gives direction to a student’s life, a giver of values and a nation-builder.
While Teachers’ Day is celebrated every year on 5 September in our country, it is observed on different days and on different occasions in many countries around the world, while nearly 100 countries celebrate it on 5 October. In 1994, UNESCO officially chose 5 October as the day for celebrating Teachers’ Day, and since then International Teachers’ Day has continued to be observed on 5 October. However, apart from these nearly 100 countries, there are several countries where this day is celebrated on different occasions. In some places, it is a public holiday, while in others, regular work continues as usual. In China, Teachers’ Day was first celebrated on 27 August 1939, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Confucius, but this declaration was withdrawn in 1951, and since 10 September 1985, Teachers’ Day has been celebrated on this date. In Russia, Teachers’ Day has been celebrated on 5 October since 1994, while from 1965 to 1994, it was observed on the first Sunday of October. In Iran, following the assassination of Professor Ayatollah Morteza Motahhari on 2 May 1980, the same day came to be observed as Teachers’ Day.
In Malaysia, Teachers’ Day is known as ‘Hari Guru’ and is celebrated on 16 May. The Razak Report was approved there on 16 May 1956, on the basis of which the education system was established there. This day was subsequently adopted as Teachers’ Day. In Thailand, Teachers’ Day has been celebrated annually on 16 January since 1957. All schools in the country remain closed on this day. In Turkey, the day is observed on 24 November, while in the United States it is celebrated on 6 May, with events being organised throughout the first week of the month. In Australia, Teachers’ Day is celebrated on the last Friday of October, while in Argentina, the day is observed on 11 September, the death anniversary of Domingo Faustino Sarmiento.
In Vietnam, this day was first observed on 20 November 1958 as the International Teachers’ Charter Day, and in 1982 it was renamed and declared Vietnamese Teachers’ Day. In Peru, on 6 July 1953, its President Manuel A. Odría issued a decree declaring this day as Teachers’ Day, while in Pakistan, it is celebrated on 5 October, the day of International Teachers’ Day. In Chile, a College of Teachers was established on 16 October, and in commemoration of this, Teachers’ Day has been celebrated on 16 October since 1977. In Brazil, Teachers’ Day is observed on 15 October. In fact, on 15 October 1827, Pedro regulated primary education there, but official recognition for celebrating Teachers’ Day on 15 October was granted in 1963. Thus, it can be seen that although ‘Teachers’ Day’ is celebrated across the world to express respect for teachers, the date on which it is observed varies from country to country.
(The author is an educationist active in the field of teaching for more than 18 Years)
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