Trinidad and Tobago will join the rest of the world in celebrating World Teachers’ Day tomorrow.
Since its inception in 1994 - the day recognizes the expertise, energy and passion of teachers who are the cornerstone of education systems around the world.
This year, the theme chosen for celebrations marking World Teachers’ Day is “Young Teachers: The Future of the Profession.”
In a release, Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA) President, Lynsley Doodhai said, “In addition to providing the occasion to celebrate the teaching profession worldwide and to take stock of achievements, it will also allow for some of the pertinent issues critical for attracting and keeping the brightest minds and young talents in the profession to be addressed.”
He added, “Young teachers are essential to the regeneration of the profession itself.”
“Without a new generation of motivated teachers, millions of learners worldwide will miss out or continue to miss out, on their right to quality education. With teachers being underpaid and undervalued, attracting and retaining talent is a challenge.”
Doodhai said they were concerned that with large percentages of teachers likely to retire from practice in the coming decade, not enough young candidates are coming into the profession to replace them.
He estimated that over 69 million teachers must be recruited by 2030 for primary and secondary education to ensure quality education for all.
Of this number, he said approximately 49 million new recruits will be needed to replace those who are to leave the profession either through retirement or voluntarily.
The TTUTA head extended a heartfelt thank you to the hard-working and dedicated teachers, including those at the ECCE level for the sterling contribution they render in classrooms and communities.
He said, “Their efforts ensure that our young minds are moulded so that our country can have a bright future.”