International Teachers' Day Tomorrow

Media release 4 October 1999

INTERNATIONAL TEACHERS' DAY

Good teachers are the most important thing schools need to do a good job and teachers are one of the nation's valuable resources, according to Margaret Austin, Chairperson of the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO.

Mrs Austin was commenting on International Teachers' Day, being commemorated tomorrow (October 5). October 5 is the 28th anniversary of the adoption of the International Labour Organisation/UNESCO Recommendation Concerning the Status of Teachers which recognises the importance of teachers.

Mrs Austin said New Zealand was fortunate to have a high level of commitment and professionalism in its teaching profession.

"Our teachers have shown a remarkable degree of adaptability by the way in which they have coped with considerable change over recent years. But school reform cannot succeed unless it focuses on creating the conditions in which teachers can teach and teach well," she said.

"It is timely to think about the needs of teachers. With the world of employment so constantly changing, the task of teachers has become even more important and challenging. Teachers need our faith and support more than ever. On International Teachers Day I urge everyone to show their support for the work teachers do in preparing our young people for their future," Mrs Austin said.

ENDS

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