World Teachers' Day (WTD) 2016 was celebrated in Bangladesh on 5th October 2016. It was also the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the 1966 ILO / UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. The theme for this year's WTD was "Valuing Teachers, Improving their Status". The theme not only captures the fundamental principles promoted by the fifty-year-old recommendation, but also looks ahead to underscore the need for supporting Teachers, as reflected in the Sustainable Development Goals and Education 2030 Agenda.

The main objective was to:
  • Emphasize on the unique standard-setting instrument that focuses on Teachers, the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation;
  • Celebrate progress made towards improving the status of teachers worldwide; and
  • Foster redoubled efforts to advance the status of teachers and professionalism in teaching, as projected in SDGs Education2030 Agenda.

Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE) as a national coalition for education in Bangladesh, continuing its efforts to promote reiterated the issues relating to valuing and empowering Teachers through a number of activities to celebrate the World Teachers’ Day on 5th October 2016. The events were organized in both national and sub-national levels in cooperation with Teacher Associations, member/partner organizations and other stakeholders. The major programs of WTD included (i) awareness raising campaigns, rallies, cultural program, acknowledgement of teachers for their valuable contribution in education, art and essay competition etc., (ii) facilitating dialogues like organizing seminars, teachers conference, and (iii) media mobilization publication of articles and sub-editorials in national dailies and other local newspapers, and TV news coverage. There were 150 events organized at the national and sun-national level by 12 Teachers Association/Union, 32 Community Education Watch Group and about 40 member/partner organizations of CAMPE took part in the events. About 12,000 people were mobilized on the 5th October 2016 events. We are still receiving information from the subnational level.

A Mobile apps have been developed for real-time monitoring and dynamic live reporting system, 1,000 copies of a Fact Sheet on Status of Teachers in Primary and Secondary Schools in Bangladesh focusing on gaps in terms of number and quality of teacher, teacher-student ratio etc. The WTD poster prepared by UNESCO was adopted in Bangladesh and 10,000 copies of printed and distributed to raise awareness and strength by Teachers. In additions there were number of articles and sub-editorial published by national newspaper and event were covered by television. Somay TV has live telecast a talk-show on this occasion.

At the national level a public rally was organized following a discussion meeting on this occasion, at the Teacher-Student Center (TSC) auditorium of the University of Dhaka. Graced by Mr. Nurul Islam Nahid, MP, Hon’ble Education Minister as Chief Guest. The Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University, Chairman of CPD, Vice president of GCE & Executive Director of CAMPE, Head and representative of UNESCO, Dhaka and Professor Emeritus, BRAC University & Vice-Chair of CAMPE were present among others. The discussion was chaired and moderated by the Chief Coordinator of National Front of Teachers & Employees (NFTE) and Chairman of Initiative for Human Development (IHD). Another program is due on 7-8 October to be jointly organized by DAM & CAMPE.

During the discussion the contribution of teachers in sharping the lines of young mind into responsible citizens was highly appreciated.