World Teachers' Day being observed

World Teachers' Day is being observed today (5 October) across the country, with the government honouring 100 teachers at the national level for the first time.

Like other countries around the world, Bangladesh is observing the day with due respect. World Teachers' Day has been observed annually since 1994 at the initiative of UNESCO.

The day aims to commemorate and honour teachers. This year's theme is "Standing with Teachers: Sixty Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status, Shaping Our Futures".

As part of the observance, a "Guni Shikshak Sammanana" (Outstanding Teachers' Award) ceremony will be held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium this afternoon.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to attend the central celebration, organised by the Ministry of Education, as the chief guest.

For the first time this year, a total of 100 selected teachers from different categories, ranging from primary to higher education, will receive the national "Guni Shikshak Sammanana".

According to this year's World Teachers' Day guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education, the day will be observed at all educational institutions, as well as at the upazila, district, and national levels.

This year, the awards will be given to 100 outstanding teachers, including 10 at the primary level, 20 at the secondary level, 25 at colleges, 20 at general universities, 10 at medical colleges, three at agricultural universities, three at engineering universities, four at science and technology and other specialised universities, and five under the Prime Minister's special quota.

At the 26th General Conference of UNESCO, held in Paris in 1993, a decision was taken to observe October 5 as World Teachers' Day. The day was observed for the first time in 1994.