A teacher is a guide and an agent of social change.Only a teacher can build a generation through knowledge, morality and values.The contribution of a teacher can lead a nation to a strong, knowledgeable and developed path.
This is perhaps why World Teachers’ Day is celebrated every year on 5 October.This Day was established in 1994. It is an international day jointly proclaimed by the UNESCO(United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and the ILO(International Labour Organization).The day is dedicated to honoring teachers, discussing their rights and raising awareness about improving the quality of education systems.This year, World Teachers’ Day is not being held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris for the first time.Instead, it will be held at the headquarters of the African Union(PACTED) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as part of the Pan-African Conference on Teacher Education(CESA).The location is linked to the African Continental Education Strategy and the African Education December, which will highlight a new global and continental commitment to prioritizing education as a driver of sustainable development.
The theme of International Education Day 2025 is ‘Artificial Intelligence and Education: Preserving Human Flourishing in Automations’.This theme emphasizes the impact of artificial intelligence on human skills and potential in the age of automation, and the need to preserve this human dimension through education.
At present, there are about 5.8 lakh teachers at the primary and secondary levels in Bangladesh.According to data from the University Grants Commission (UGC), there are 16,805 teachers in the country’s 50 public universities.
What is the reason for the poor state of the teaching profession in Bangladesh?More qualified people are not interested in becoming teachers.Due to this, teachers of the desired quality are not available.Especially, the vacant posts of private teachers cannot be filled.As a result, the education program is being affected.With good reason, the question arises, why are qualified candidates not available?In short, the answer to this question is that the financial opportunities and power and status of privateschool’s and college’s teachers are less than any other job.Almost all students do not have teaching as their ‘Aim in Life’.If they do not get any other job, even if they come to teaching, they do not want to take teaching as their only profession.Therefore, they do not become real teachers.
The more likely a good student is to become a good teacher voluntarily, the less likely a teacher with the opposite characteristics is to become a good teacher.No matter how much modern educational materials are added, how many multi-storied buildings with advanced facilities are built;if it is not possible to increase the quality of teachers, it is not possible to increase the quality of education.It is unrealistic that the quality of teachers will be raised to the highest level by fixing the salary of teachers at the highest level.Because, as long as I am here, I will continue to make mistakes and leave the mark of low efficiency.Nevertheless, my financial benefits, that of teachers, must be increased.
Many people think that private teachers will have the least opportunities, power, and status, and that they will be relatively less qualified and skilled.Because they are private.But the reality is that these private teachers teach almost all the students in the country, and those students are employed in all the workplaces in the country.
We have not ensured proper and effective measures to attract more qualified people to teaching.Rather, we have done the opposite in this case!We have reduced the qualifications to become a teacher compared to other professions.There is still a third category or class acceptable for teaching.We have relaxed the age of entry into teaching.You can still apply for teaching at the age of 35;which is not possible in many other professions.
Private teachers in Bangladesh face many challenges.Two of the most important challenges are briefly described below:
01.The teacher-student ratio in Bangladesh is inconsistent, which is a big challenge for teachers.According to the 2016 report, there was 1 teacher for 42 students in Bangladesh, currently the teacher-student ratio is increasing at the secondary level, where it is believed that this ratio has increased further.However, according to the World Bank, the student-teacher ratio at the primary level in 2018 was 30.05:1.According to the 2010 education policy, the ratio of 1:30 at the primary level and 1:20 or 1:22 at the secondary level is desirable, but in reality it has not been met.
2. Another big challenge for qualified teachers in Bangladesh is the problem of the managing committee.Because most of the members of the managing committee are less educated than the teachers, sometimes stupid people also join the committee and establish authority over the teachers.
Managing committees often include politically influential individuals who are eager to use teachers for personal gain.This hurts the self-esteem of qualified teachers.
Committee members use their influence to pressure teachers for illegal privileges, which undermines the financial transparency and accountability of the institution, which discredits teachers in the eyes of parents and the public.
The failure to monitor the committee’s activities and lack of transparency create opportunities for financial irregularities and corruption in the institution.The head of the educational institution must take responsibility for this.
There is a lack of proper oversight from the government level in monitoring the activities of the managing committee, which makes this committee arbitrary.Which in a way is tantamount to disrespect for the teachers.
Synonyms for “teacher dignity” are teacher respect, importance, respect for elders, etc. These words are used to describe the role of teachers and their position in society. The above words are some of the feelings or behaviors that make teachers more important and worthy of respect than others.
Throughout the ages, poets and writers have written poems, stories and novels to protect the dignity of teachers.One such poem is ‘ShikshagururMaridaja’ by poet KaziQuaderNewaz, which is used to honor teachers by praising the generosity of King Alamgir.
King Alamgir’s son was taught by a cleric.One day, the king saw that the teacher took water to wash his feet with his own hands, but his son only poured water but did not wash his feet with his own hands.Alamgir was hurt by this lack of service from the teacher and the king’s son’s disrespect for the teacher.Hearing this, the teacher realized his dignity and said to the king, ‘From today onwards, the head of the teacher has been elevated forever, you are truly a great and generous King Alamgir.’The main theme of this poem is the infinite dignity of the teacher, which is revealed through the generosity and magnanimity of King Alamgir.Poet KaziQuaderNewaz has shown that as an ideal king, King Alamgir gave the status of the teacher a higher place than that of his own son.
Just as we should strive to increase the value of teachers, teachers should also understand what an ideal teacher would be like or what kind of teacher we want.What kind of teacher do I expect? Below is a brief description of my desired teacher:
My teacher is not just a trainer, he is a friend and a guide.Teaching in his classroom is never boring, on the contrary, it is always enjoyable.Personally, he is very compassionate and pays attention to every little thing of the students. He makes us understand that it is more important to use that knowledge for good than acquiring knowledge.He does not limit himself to reading books, but teaches ethics and morality, he himself is honest, sincere and punctual.We can raise our problems to him without hesitation and he always shows the way to the solution.He is always eager to teach something new.Every thing he teaches is worth retaining in our lives.His affectionate behavior and patient attitude make us interested in the class.He not only imparts knowledge, but also provides inspiration to build a life.He also tries to develop an attitude against harmful addictions including drugs, eve-teasing, dowry, superstitions, teenage gangs, mob terrorism and corruption in the students.
The opportunities and facilities of teachers must be increased.The true quality of teachers must be ensured by appointing more qualified teachers.
Finally, on this Teachers’ Day, WehaveCome to a decision from the bottom of our heart to build a world-class education system. In the coming days, we will respect teachers, protect their rights, and enlighten future generations by updating the education system.

Author: Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain, Essayist, Writer And President Of The International Anti-Drug Organization-Freedom International Anti-Alcohol. E-mail Address: eddanwar@gmail.com