World Teachers’ Day: NGO advocates better recognition for educators

Inoyo Toro Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), says teachers deserve better recognition.

The NGO said this in a statement issued on Wednesday to mark the World Teachers’ Day.

World Teachers’ Day is celebrated globally on October 5.

Speaking on the theme by the United Nations — ‘The Transformation of Education Begins with Teachers’ — George Akpan, board secretary of the foundation, said the first step towards getting things right in the education sector of a country is by giving recognition to teachers.

“In the last 15 years, we at Inoyo Toro Foundation have encouraged and urged all stakeholders to recognize teachers’ centrality in arresting the rapid decline in the education sector, especially in Akwa Ibom State,” the statement reads.

“We remain proud of our collaborative efforts with hundreds of teachers who have not only benefitted from our programs but have given their best to their students, even under challenging circumstances.

“One has gone on to achieve global acclaim, winning the prestigious USA Fullbright Teaching Excellence and Advancement Fellowship Award in 2022.

“Remember that everyone has a role to play in encouraging our teachers so they can do more to improve the standard of education.

“So, if you can read and understand this message, in the words of the celebrated Dr Uko Akpan, “Teye ke’ ateacher akukpep” (you must remember that a teacher helped you). The least you can do today is to call or send a thank you message to a teacher. If we desire a better society, let us invest substantially in the education sector.

“To all teachers, thank you for what you do, and God bless you.”

Meanwhile, the foundation has fixed November 4 to celebrate its 15th anniversary, while plans are ongoing for its teachers’ excellence award scheduled to hold in Akwa Ibom.