Teachers’ Day; It is a celebration day where various activities are held to honor the teachers who practice the profession of teaching and who have undertaken the task of raising a generation. Teachers’ Day, which is celebrated as a national event in many countries of the world, is celebrated on different dates. While Teachers’ Day is 24 November in Turkey, World Teachers’ Day is celebrated on 5 October. The fact that Teachers’ Day is celebrated on different dates in each country has a special meaning for those countries.
In many countries; Since 1994, the 5th of October has been celebrated as Teachers’ Day every year with the recommendation of UNESCO. October 5th marks the end of the “Special Intergovernmental Conference on the Status of Teachers” held in Paris in 1966. At the conference, UNESCO and ILO representatives unanimously accepted the “Teachers’ Status Recommendation” and that day became “World Teachers’ Day”. However, countries have adopted different dates as teachers’ days according to their cultural and historical characteristics and school holidays.
Countries Celebrating Teachers’ Day
Turkey
Teachers’ Day in Turkey is celebrated on 24 November every year. This date is the day when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, accepted the position of Head Teacher of the National Schools on November 24, 1928. November 24, when Atatürk became the Head Teacher; It was declared as Teacher’s Day by Kenan Evren in 1981, in the ‘Atatürk Year’, the 100th anniversary of Atatürk’s birth.
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was given the title of Head Teacher of National Schools at the meeting held by the Council of Ministers on 11 November 1928. Later, this title became official with the publication of the National Schools Regulation on 24 November. In 1981, it was decided to celebrate the anniversaries of his becoming Head Teacher as Teacher’s Day across the country. Published in the Official Gazette on February 26, 1981, the principles regarding the aims, celebration committees, duties, powers and responsibilities of Teachers’ Day were determined.
President of the period, General Kenan Evren, who declared 24 November as Teacher’s Day, addressed the teachers in the first 24 November congratulatory message;
“Dear Teachers,
Let 24 November not only be remembered as Teachers’ Day, but also be the day of realization of the ideals of Atatürk, the greatest teacher. Also today; May it be the day of the oath that the Turkish children of tomorrow are brought up in unity, togetherness and integrity as Atatürk longed for. On this occasion, I wish you all a happy and bright future and offer you all my love.”
India
Teachers’ Day is celebrated on September 5 in India. This date is the former Indian president and teacher, Dr. It is the birthday of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Dr. Radhakrishnan became president of India in 1962. Some of his students and friends asked permission to celebrate his birthday. Dr. Radhakrishnan also replied “Instead of celebrating my birthday separately, it would be my privilege to celebrate September 5 as Teachers’ Day.” he said. Since then, September 5th is celebrated as Teacher’s Day in India.
Azerbaijan
October 5th, which is accepted as World Teachers’ Day in Azerbaijan, is celebrated as Teacher’s Day every year.
Australia
Australia celebrates the last Friday of October every year as Teachers’ Day, as World Teachers’ Day, 5 October, coincides with the school holiday.
Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, Teachers’ Day is celebrated every year on 28 March. This date is the birth anniversary of Jan Amos Comenius, one of the first advocates of universal education.
Iranian
In Iran, Teachers’ Day is celebrated on May 2, the anniversary of Murtaza Mutahhari’s murder. Murtaza Mutahhari; He is an Iranian scholar, religious scholar, philosopher, university lecturer and politician. Along with Ali Shariati, he was one of the intellectuals of the 1979 Iranian Islamic Revolution.
Peru
In Peru, Teachers’ Day has been celebrated on July 6 since 1953. The date of 6 July is the date of the establishment of the first teacher school in the country. After Peru gained its independence, the first teacher’s school was opened with a law adopted on 6 July 1822.
Slovakia
In Slovakia, Teachers’ Day is celebrated on March 28. This date marks the birth anniversary of the teacher, scientist, educator and writer, Jan Amos Comenius. Comenius is known as the teacher of nations or the father of modern education.
