Premier Pat Binns today proclaimed October 5th as World Teachers' Day to recognize the enormous contributions Island teachers make every day in educating our children.
"I am pleased to officially recognize World Teachers' Day on Tuesday, October 5," said Premier Binns. "Teachers play a key role in creating and shaping the future of our province."
The theme for this year's World Teachers' Day is "Teachers, a Force for Social Change." PEI Teachers' Federation President, Ed Kilfoil, speaking on behalf of Prince Edward Island's 1,552 teachers, indicates that the influence of teachers cannot be overestimated. He cited the lasting impression teachers create on many students.
"Many of us, as students, have been strongly influenced by a teacher or teachers. Students often relate how teachers have made lifelong impressions with respect to future career and life choices," said Kilfoil. "Along with parents, teachers have played strong and supportive roles in the lives of their students."
According to statistics gathered by Education International (EI) and UNESCO, joint organizers of World Teachers' Day, teachers globally provide education to more than one billion people. Kilfoil indicated that at a global level, teachers constitute a unique force for social change as they commit themselves to provide a quality public education system for everyone.
All across Canada, many teacher organizations, school councils and individual schools have planned specific activities to celebrate this special day.
Minister of Education Chester Gillan encourages Islanders, especially parents and students, to pay tribute on World Teachers' Day to the teachers who devote their lives to serving the youth of Prince Edward Island.