ByJoe Kingsley Eyiah

October 5th is World Teachers' Day. Teachers in the member states of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization celebrate this day the world over. The day was established by UNESCO in 1993, it is an opportunity for all of us to think about the difference that teachers have made in our lives.

I remember the car sticker in Ghana during the 1980s which read: IF YOU CAN READ THIS, THANK A TEACHER. How true! It is very true that we all remember moments when an inspiring teacher opened our eyes to something wonderful. Moments like those are happening every day in our schools. As a lifelong teacher, I can testify to this.

From time immemorial, teaching has been a noble profession. From the days of Socrates to the time of Paul of the Bible students/graduates had spoken highly of their teachers (also called masters in some instances). The Holy Bible mentions teaching as one of the three top spiritual gifts from God that we must desire most for the growth of His church (read 1 Corth. 12:28).

Interesting! Teachers make the medical doctors, the lawyers, the accountants, the engineers, the agriculturalists, the musicians, the pastors, the politicians, the nurses, the computer analysts and many other workers who contribute effectively to the building of a nation anywhere.

Ghana like many other countries around the world has, over the years, sought to improve its education system by introducing reforms and making projections based on the education needs of the country. However, the basic education in the system is yet to experience the impetus that will fortify it as a strong foundation for the child's educational journey.

Teachers must be the pivot for ensuring successful learning process sought after in any education reform.

Education has been the major facilitator and catalyst in the astonishing changes and transformation sweeping through the world today. The role of formal (school) education in the liberation of the individual mind as well as economic dependence and in national development is therefore quite obvious. Thus, education pays off not only in literacy but also in income

It is therefore quite obvious that education is very imperative to the sound development of individuals and nations. Every country ought to provide its people with qualitative and "not only quantitative" education! And every parent ought to ensure that their child gets the best of formal education as much as possible.

Undoubtedly, education is the biggest enterprise in any civilized society. Teachers play an important role in this enterprise. Their training, distribution and maintenance as professionals anywhere must be given serious attention. Together we must fight to give our children everywhere the education they need.

Knowledge is Power, but ignorance is a disease. And teachers who are the facilitators of learning, which is the process of acquiring knowledge at school deserve better! HAPPY DAY TO ALL TEACHERS!