Rwanda : 1.7 M teachers needed to reach Universal Primary Education MDG
Posted on October 5, 2012 by admin in English, Umwarimu
Rwandan teachers in a meeting: The world needs 1.7 million of them to achieve the education MG
An estimated 1.7 million more teacher positions are required for the world to reach the goals of Universal Primary Education by 2015.
This was announced ahead of the International World Teachers day that falls on October 5 in a joint statement from the Heads of UNESCO, UNDP, UNICEF, ILO and Education international.
According to the organizations, Teachers are the foundation of good schools, and good schools are the pillars of healthy and democratic communities. “Teachers are the keys to reaching the Education for All goals.”
“As we recruit new teachers, we must continue to improve the quality of teaching and learning. Governments are urged to provide teachers with access to training opportunities and continued professional development, based on appropriate qualifications,” the statement said.
The statement continues and says that committed and diverse teachers require environments that value professional autonomy and equality.
“Teachers need to be supported in fulfilling their responsibilities to students, and their voices must be listened to by school leaders, education systems and public authorities. Teachers’ salaries must be set objectively and fairly, such that remuneration is commensurate with the importance of the profession and the qualifications and responsibilities of individual teachers.”
However, it said that teachers also, in turn, must be accountable to their students and communities.
The teaching profession is encouraged to design and implement teacher codes of conduct, based on the highest ethical and professional standards, and to be oriented around the goal of teaching all students effectively and equally.
“This World Teachers’ Day is an opportunity to honour the women and men who inspire, challenge and nurture us.
On this day, we call for the creation of supportive teaching environments, adequate teacher training and safeguards for the rights of teachers. We must break the vicious cycle of declining professional conditions for teachers in order to improve the quality of learning for all.”
