Ministry of Education has praised teachers for their daily commitment to helping students gain the knowledge, confidence and skills needed to shape their futures and contribute to the country’s development.
The ministry made the remarks Monday as Rwanda joined countries around the world in marking World Teachers’ Day, observed annually on Oct. 5.
This year’s global theme is “Recasting teaching: A profession at the heart of the 60th anniversary of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers.”
In a message shared on its social media platforms, the Ministry of Education highlighted the role teachers play beyond delivering lessons in classrooms.
“When a student understands a lesson that was difficult for them, finds the courage to ask a question or gains confidence in what they can do, there is often a teacher who supported them and helped them take that step,” the ministry said.
World Teachers’ Day was established to commemorate the adoption in 1966 of the ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers, an international framework covering teachers’ rights, responsibilities and professional standards. The day has been observed globally since 1994.
The 60th anniversary of the recommendation comes as the teaching profession faces new pressures and changing demands, including advances in digital technology, climate change, inclusive education and the need to address wider social and economic challenges affecting communities.
In Rwanda, the number of teachers has grown alongside the expansion of the education system. Data from the Rwanda Education Board shows that about 110,000 teachers work in pre-primary, primary and secondary schools across the country.
The ministry said efforts to improve teachers’ welfare and working conditions have already produced progress, while further measures are being considered to strengthen the profession and ensure teachers can continue playing a central role in educating the next generation.
