04th October, 2019 Hundreds of teachers in Tonga celebrated World Teachers’ Day today with a thanksgiving service at Queen Salote College Hall. The programme was hosted by the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) schools with this year’s theme focusing on ‘Young Teachers: The future of the Profession’.
In a joint message for the day, the heads of UNESCO, ILO, UNICEF, UNDP and Education International said, “Without a new generation of motivated teachers, millions of learners will miss out, or continue to miss out, on their right to a quality education. With teachers being underpaid and undervalued, attracting and retaining talent is a challenge. Attrition rates are rising rapidly worldwide, due in part to precarious employment and scare opportunities for continuous professional development.”
They also called upon governments to make teaching a profession of “first choice for young people” and stakeholders to “share their wisdom and experiences in promoting the emergence of a vibrant teaching force.”
The Guest of Honour and President of SDA Pastor Saia Vea’s inaugural address reminded teachers of their importance and how they were called and chosen to take up the profession.
“In order for young teachers to get where we want them to be we need order teachers to nurture them, to guide them and to lead them. It is not by accident that you are here but you have been called by God for his purpose and that is for you to become a teacher. Whether you are teaching in the government or one of the church system here in Tonga, I strongly believe that you have been called.”
“We need teachers to educate the children of Tonga and we must train them to become one and shed light to darkness.”
The teachers also observed a moment of silence in tribute to the Late Prime Minister of Tonga Hon Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva who was a former teacher and Minister for Education.
ENDS
Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications.