World Teachers’ Day 5 October 2006
The Director of the New Zealand Teachers Council, Dr Peter Lind, urges New Zealanders to acknowledge how important
teachers are to their communities and the future development of the nation.
“In celebrating World Teachers’ Day on 5 October, we support the goals of UNESCO to raise the status of teachers
internationally and we also affirm the important contribution to our future made by the early childhood, primary and
secondary teachers and teacher educators here in New Zealand. Social, cultural and economic imperatives mean that all
learners need access to high quality education.”
Speaking to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Education Institute (NZEI Te Riu Roa) recently, Dr Lind emphasised
that it is inspiring teachers who determine the quality of learning young people enjoy and it is their professional
commitment which provides the highest form of accountability. “This professionalism needs to be supported by policies
that give teachers opportunities for variety in what they do and leadership options that don’t always lead them out of
the teaching role into full time management.” Pathways that support the on-going professional learning of teachers and
educators must be developed, along with the professional recognition of roles, such as teacher mentors that our
experienced colleagues provide.
The Teachers Council is currently focusing on the early entry points to the profession; graduate teachers and the
induction, mentoring and assessment of teachers in their first two years before gaining full registration. Equally
important however, says Dr Lind, is working with the profession to reward, recognise and enrich the contributions of
experienced teachers to their colleagues.
In 2006, World Teachers’ Day recognises how important true professionalism is for the strength of teachers’ work. This
will be essential to achieve the international aim of “quality teachers for quality education”.
ENDS