Three education unions win the 2023 Norm Goble World Teachers’ Day Award
Recognizing Excellence in Education
On this year’s World Teachers’ Day, three education unions in Burkina Faso, The Gambia, and Uganda have been awarded the prestigious Norm Goble World Teachers’ Day (WTD) Award by the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF/FCE). Since its establishment in 2014, the Norm Goble Award has been presented annually to support the remarkable initiatives of CTF/FCE’s foreign partners in celebrating and promoting the teaching profession.
Activities to Highlight the Teaching Profession
The winning organizations proposed a range of meaningful activities that aim to highlight the teaching profession in their respective countries and communities on World Teachers’ Day. The Gambia Teachers’ Union (GTU) plans to organize radio programs across seven regions in The Gambia, advocating for quality and equitable education, better working conditions for teachers, and a conducive environment for teaching and learning. They will also engage in tree planting activities to raise awareness about the importance of trees in maintaining ecological balance and combating pollution.
In Burkina Faso, the Syndicat national de enseignants du secondaire et du supérieur (SNESS) will host a public conference in the capital city, Ouagadougou. The conference will focus on the role of teachers in the nation’s current struggles against violent extremism and ongoing insecurity. SNESS aims to promote critical thinking skills, engage parents and communities in responding to urgent needs, and focus on inclusive education. They believe that equitable teaching practices and building respect for teachers are crucial in fostering safety, inclusion, democracy, and social justice.
Meanwhile, in Uganda, the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) will hold a national celebration to advocate for increased access to mental health and psycho-social support for teachers. This will include a media campaign and television and radio talk shows, along with the “Appreciate My Teacher” events involving teachers, students, Ministry officials, community members, and stakeholders. UNATU aims to honor teachers for their pivotal role in shaping children’s lives, being change agents, and contributing to the emergence of educated communities.
Recognizing Dr. Norman Goble
The Norm Goble WTD Award is named after Dr. Norman Goble, who served as the CTF/FCE Secretary General from 1970 to 1982 and General Secretary of the World Confederation of Organizations of the Teaching Profession from 1982 to 1988. Dr. Goble played a significant role in the establishment of World Teachers’ Day. October 5 was chosen as the date for World Teachers’ Day to commemorate the adoption of the UNESCO recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers during a special intergovernmental conference on the same date in 1966. The recommendation recognized the crucial role of competent, qualified, and motivated teachers in society.
Promoting Excellence in Education
The Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF/FCE) is a national alliance of provincial and territorial teachers’ organizations representing over 365,000 teachers and education workers across Canada. It is also affiliated with Education International, which represents more than 32 million educators worldwide. The CTF/FCE is committed to promoting excellence in education and supporting the initiatives of its foreign partners through awards like the Norm Goble World Teachers’ Day Award.
Overall, the recognition and support provided by the Norm Goble Award play a vital role in honoring the teaching profession and highlighting its importance in shaping the lives of individuals and communities. The initiatives undertaken by the winning education unions in Burkina Faso, The Gambia, and Uganda demonstrate their dedication to creating positive change in their respective education systems and communities. The shared goal of advancing quality, equitable, and inclusive education is a testament to the power of collaboration and collective effort in improving education globally.
<< photo by Kenny Eliason >>
The image is for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual situation.
