365 Days of Teacher Wellbeing: Looking Beyond World Teachers’ Day

It’s that time of the year again: World Teachers’ Day, where the spotlight shines brightly on our dedicated educators around the globe. It’s a day when the world unites in celebrating the intellectual, moral, and noble profession of teaching, acknowledging the profound impact teachers have on shaping lives and molding the future of individuals. Yet, amidst the applause, the chocolates, gifts and gestures of gratitude, there’s an underlying issue that often remains overshadowed—a critical question that deserves our attention far beyond this special day of recognition. Do we truly appreciate our teachers in a way that extends beyond the fleeting moments of admiration? And to what extent do we support these hardworking individuals throughout the entire year, addressing the formidable challenges, contradictions, and frustrations they face in the education system?

Each year a considerable number of teachers opt to depart the profession, fleeing the building with their cardboard boxes and disappearing into the horizon, never to be seen in a classroom again. They leave behind a series of unanswered questions about the true state of the teaching profession. As we commemorate World Teacher’s Day, it’s an opportune moment to delve deeper into the complex issues surrounding teacher attrition and reflect on the sustainability of our appreciation for these unsung heroes, not just today, but every day.