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World Teachers’ Day: How UAE schools are celebrating their superstar educators (and why it’s so important this year)
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Today, schools across the UAE are joining those around the globe to celebrate World Teachers’ Day, a day dedicated to recognizing the amazing contributions of educators in shaping the future of our children.

Each year, World Teachers’ Day adopts a specific theme to focus on critical aspects of education and teaching. Themes can range from promoting inclusive education and empowering teachers to enhancing teacher training, and advocating for equal opportunities in education.

In 2023 the theme is a serious one: “The teachers we need for the education we want: The global imperative to reverse the teacher shortage.”

The sad fact is that the world is currently facing an unprecedented teacher shortage. The status and working conditions of teachers have declined over recent years, exacerbating the problem, and every year more and more teachers are leaving the profession.

The World Teacher’s Day theme this year highlights the urgency of reversing this trend – and also the critical need for all of us as parents and educationalists to help by loudly celebrating teachers, and lifting up those wonderful humans who work so hard and dedicate their lives to lifting up our little ones.

The UAE parenting and education community has taken to social media to express this gratitude.

Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Director General of the KHDA – which regulates Dubai schools – had a message of appreciation to UAE teachers:

“World Teachers’ Day is a great opportunity for us to say thank you to teachers in Dubai for inspiring their students, for giving to their communities, and for simply being who they are.

GEMS_INARTICLE  

“We pay tribute to teachers not just because they’re teachers – they’re also our friends, our family, and our neighbours.

“We are grateful to the work of all teachers for making a positive impact on our children, our communities and our city.”

Parents across the country have also been preparing lovely gifts of appreciation, with teachers receiving bespoke gift baskets, flowers and sweet treats.

UAE schools have of course been celebrating in their own way, with some heartfelt messages and adorable videos made by the children.

GEMS Education

The GEMS Education group, which operates more than 60 schools across the world, has posted a video with quotes from teachers at GEMS Wellington Academy Silicon Oasis about why they love teaching. They shared:

“It’s just something I love doing. I love children, I love working with children. They’re just really fun – and they keep me young!

“I want to create lifelong learners.”

“I want to make a difference to young children.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by GEMS Education (@gems_education)

See our review of GEMS Wellington Silicon Oasis here.

The English College Dubai

The English College Dubai celebrated by handing out little gifts of fruit donated by grateful parents, sharing the message:

Happy #WorldTeachersDay to our dedicated team; your hard work and commitment make our school exceptional. And to our wonderful students, thank you for the delicious fruits and brightening our day.

See our review of The English College Dubai here.

Innoventures Education

Innoventures Education – which operates the Raffles group of schools and nurseries in the UAE, as well as the Emirates Hills and Al Barsha branches of Dubai International Academy and Collegiate International School – has shared a video with a medley of teacher photos across the different schools, thanking teachers for nurturing young children and being superheroes:

“Happy World Teachers’ Day to all our inspiring teachers. Thank you for what you do. You are our superheroes!”

See our interview with Innoventures Education CEO Poonam Bhojani here. 

Arbor School Dubai

Arbor School Dubai was treated by online grocery store Kibsons, which came to the school to hand out potted plants and a little edible treat for every teacher:

“An 🍎 for the teacher or, in this case, a special thank you from @kibsons for members of our leadership team.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Arbor School Dubai (@arbordubai)

See our review of Arbor School Dubai here.

Nord Anglia International School Dubai

Nord Anglia School Dubai teachers received an adorable dedication from Year 1 students, who sang them a World Teachers Day song to say thank you.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by NAS Dubai (@nasdubaischool)

See our review of Nord Anglia International School Dubai here.

Bloom World Academy

Bloom World Academy took one minute to share some appreciation for those teachers who do so much to help young children learn and flourish, compiling a video of their teachers in action throughout the school.

See our review of Bloom World Academy here.

What is World Teacher’s Day?

World Teachers’ Day, celebrated annually on 5th October, is an international event dedicated to recognizing and appreciating the crucial role of teachers in society. It aims to honour educators and acknowledge their contributions to shaping the lives and future of students. The day serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of education, advocate for better working conditions for teachers, and highlight the value of quality teaching.

World Teachers’ Day was established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1994 to commemorate the signing of the 1966 UNESCO/ILO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. This recommendation outlines the rights and responsibilities of teachers and sets international standards for their initial preparation, further education, employment, and teaching conditions.

Countries around the world celebrate World Teachers’ Day through various activities such as ceremonies, workshops, seminars, teacher appreciation events, and award ceremonies to honour teachers and their dedication to education. It’s a day to express gratitude to educators for their hard work, dedication, and lasting impact on students and society as a whole.

© SchoolsCompared.com. A WhichMedia Group publication. 2023 – 2024. All rights reserved.

 

About The Author
Tabitha Barda
Tabitha Barda is the Senior Editor of SchoolsCompared.com. Oxbridge educated and an award winning journalist in the UAE for more than a decade, Tabitha is one of the region's shining lights in all that is education in the emirates. A mum herself, she is passionate about helping parents - and finding the stories in education that deserve telling. She is responsible for the busy 24x7 News Desk, our Advisory Boards and Specialist Panels - and Parents United's WHICHPlaydates - a regular meeting place for UAE parents to discuss the issues that matter to them, make friends and network with others. You can often find Tabitha too on Parents United - our Facebook community board, discussing the latest schools and education issues with our parent community in the UAE - and beyond.

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