World Teachers’ Day is being observed today, October 5. In recognition of their contributions to education, the government will honour 101 distinguished teachers from different levels of education, from primary to higher education, this year. Each recipient will receive Tk 200,000, a crest and a certificate of honour.

The awards will be handed over at a ceremony scheduled for 2pm Monday at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to attend the event as the chief guest. Education Minister and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan will chair the programme.

This year’s World Teachers’ Day theme is “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing Dignity and Shaping Our Future.” The day aims, among other things, to recognise teachers’ contributions and roles and highlight the professional dignity of the teaching profession.

Number of Teachers Honoured at Each Level

This year, 10 teachers from the primary level, 20 from secondary schools, 25 from colleges and 20 from general universities will receive the honours.

In addition, 10 teachers from medical colleges and universities, three from agricultural universities, three from engineering universities and four from science and technology universities and other specialised universities will be honoured. Another six teachers selected by the prime minister are also included on the list.

Of the 10 primary-level recipients, eight are from general educational institutions and two are from madrasas. At the secondary level, the recipients include 10 teachers from general secondary education, five from technical education and five from madrasas.

At the college level, 15 teachers from general education, five from technical education and five from madrasas will receive the honours. Among the 20 teachers from general universities, 18 are from public universities and two from private universities.

In medical education, five teachers from medical colleges and five from medical universities will be honoured.

How the Teachers Were Selected

To select the distinguished teachers, separate search committees were formed by the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, Directorate of Primary Education, Directorate of Madrasa Education and Directorate of Technical Education.

The committees prepared panels of three teachers for each category and submitted them to the National Steering Committee. At the university level, search committees formed by the University Grants Commission also prepared panels in the same manner.

The National Steering Committee made the final selection of teachers for the honours from these panels.

World Teachers’ Day is observed globally every year on October 5 based on a theme announced by UNESCO. Various programmes have been organised at the upazila, district and national levels to mark the day. Primary, secondary, college, madrasa, technical and higher educational institutions across the country will also observe the day with various programmes.