By Joe Kingsley Eyiah, OCT, Brookview Middle School, Toronto

“If you can read this, THANK A TEACHER”

Today, October 5, 2015 is World Teachers’ Day again. This day is a special day for the appreciation of teachers and I salute all my teachers, especially my Middle Form 2 teacher who we nick-named ‘Mr. Orangutan’ and my favorite head teacher, Mr Kumi (of blessed memory) all of the Agona Swedru Salvation Army Middle School in Ghana.

I was sad to hear in the news from Ghana this morning that some teachers in my beloved country, Ghana spoke about some teachers in that country going months without salaries and therefore feeling demoralized. Others lack the basic materials to teach with. These unfortunate trends in the service conditions in the country make the ‘chalk-fraternity’ profession in Ghana very unattractive!

Elsewhere, teachers are murdered in the classroom in the line of duty with some students and by some students. In USA alone, for example, about 34 school shootings during which teachers were victims have been recorded this year. In other countries, teachers suffer insults and abuse from parents whose children are under their supervision for most part of the day.
World Teachers’ Day as instituted by the United Nations (UN) celebrates the role teachers play in providing quality education at all levels. This enables children and adults of all ages to learn to take part in and contribute to their local community and global society. Education is the key to development everywhere and teachers whose role in education is very crucial must be respected and honored everywhere.

AYEKOO to teachers all over the world! Happy Teachers’ Day!!