UNESCO’s Post

Everyone wants to talk about the future of education: AI, digital learning, skills, innovation. But you cannot future-proof education without future-proofing the teaching profession. The teachers who taught me, and the classrooms I’ve had the privilege to teach in, continue to shape how I think about education reform: systems are only as ambitious as the people we equip to deliver them. This #WorldTeachersDay the question isn’t only how we recruit more teachers. It’s also how we build a profession talented people want to enter, grow in and stay in. Though I must say, I am still very optimistic for the future of schooling!

A profession that many countries overlook, despite its vital role in supporting overall development, is the profession that creates every other career: teaching.

🍎 On World Teachers’ Day, we are reminded that strengthening education begins with strengthening the people who make learning possible—teachers whose knowledge, dedication and professional judgement shape the intellectual and human potential of every generation. 🌍 #WorldTeachersDay #TeachersMatter #Education 📊 Yet UNESCO’s latest evidence highlights a critical challenge: in 2 out of 5 countries analysed, teachers earn less than professionals with comparable qualifications, a disparity that can weaken the attractiveness, recognition and long-term sustainability of the teaching profession. ⚖️ #TeacherStatus #EducationPolicy #ProfessionalRecognition 🤝 Sixty years after the adoption of the International Labour Organization/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers, its enduring message remains highly relevant: teachers need to be valued, trusted, protected and supported through appropriate professional, social and material conditions. 📚 #UNESCO #ILO #TeachersRights 🌱 The global education community must, therefore, look beyond recruitment alone and create working environments that foster professional development, well-being, career progression, autonomy and a genuine sense of belonging within the teaching profession. 💡 #TeacherWellbeing #ProfessionalDevelopment #FutureOfEducation 🌐 With the world requiring approximately 50 million additional teachers to achieve universal pre-primary, primary and secondary education by 2030—and 58% of this projected demand linked to attrition—the priority must be both attracting new educators and creating conditions that enable experienced teachers to remain and thrive. 🚀 #TeacherShortage #Education2030 #SDG4 🎓 Elevating the status of teachers is, therefore, not merely an investment in educators; it is a strategic investment in resilient education systems, stronger learning outcomes, social equity and the knowledge societies of tomorrow. ✨ #QualityEducation #SDG4 #EducationForAll 💙 This World Teachers’ Day, let us move from appreciation to meaningful action by respecting teachers as highly skilled professionals, strengthening their working conditions and ensuring that every educator has the recognition, resources and support needed to inspire learners and transform lives. 🌎 #TeachersMatter #ForThePeople #InvestInTeachers #WorldTeachersDay 💚

On this World Teachers' Day, UNESCO's call could not be more timely. We are at a turning point in education. Recent PISA results remind us that many education systems are still struggling to deliver quality learning outcomes at scale. At the same time, AI and digital transformation are raising important questions about the future of teaching and learning. Teachers will play a critical role in shaping that future. At Efekta Education, we believe empowering and upskilling teachers is essential to realizing the potential of AI in education. Technology on its own will not improve learning outcomes. When teachers have the right skills, support, and tools, they can help deliver high-quality learning at scale while ensuring innovation remains focused on learners. Today is an opportunity to celebrate teachers and recognize the impact they make every day. It is also a reminder of the importance of investing in their professional growth, status, and leadership. #WorldTeachersDay

There is no future of education without a future for teachers. We often talk about transforming education, introducing new technologies, developing AI skills and preparing young people for jobs that do not yet exist. But none of that works without motivated, respected and properly supported teachers. UNESCO’s message for #WorldTeachersDay is therefore much bigger than a discussion about salaries or recruitment. It is about recognising teachers as one of the foundations of every resilient, inclusive and future-ready society. If we want better education, we must first create better conditions for those who make education possible. The future starts in the classroom, but it starts with the teacher. #TechForHealth #BiotechInnovation #Biotechnology #PublicWellbeing #AIForHealth #CrisisReadyHealthSystems #AllDigitalSummit #Belgrade2026 #DigitalWellbeing #DigitalSkills #DigitalInclusion #MediaLiteracy #AI #ResponsibleAI #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfEurope #WesternBalkans #SEE #Balkans #RegionalCooperation #Innovation #DigitalEurope #FUTUREDay #DigitalCommunity #ICJGlobalMedia #IntercontinentalJournalists #GlobalPressNetwork #InternationalReporting #MediaDiplomacy #SouthEastEurope #Balkans #Albania #NorthMacedonia #Kosovo #Bosnia_Herzegovina #Serbia #Montenegro #EuropeUnion #RegionalCooperationCouncil #RCC #SouthEastEuropeanCooperationProcess #SEEC #RegionalDialogue #SEECooperation #SEECP #RegionalCooperationCouncil

#WorldTeachersDay Strengthening education starts with strengthening the teaching profession. Yet, new UNESCO data reveal that in 2 out of 5 countries analysed, teachers earn less than professionals with comparable qualifications, making it harder to attract and retain talent in the profession. On #WorldTeachersDay, UNESCO is calling for renewed action to strengthen the symbolic, professional and material status of teachers. This call carries particular weight as we mark 60 years since the adoption of the International Labour Organization/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers, which set out the conditions teachers need to be valued, supported and trusted as professionals. And the challenge remains significant. The world needs 50 million additional teachers to achieve universal pre-primary, primary and secondary education by 2030. With 58% of this demand driven by attrition, recruiting more teachers must go hand in hand with creating the conditions for them to stay. Elevating teacher status is not only a matter of supporting educators, but a prerequisite for building resilient education systems and achieving quality learning for all. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gxJ--xMF #ForThePeople

The world could face a shortage of 50 million teachers by 2030, according to new data released by UNESCO and its partners on World Teachers’ Day. Of this number, 44 million teachers will be needed for primary and secondary education, while another six million will be required for pre-primary education to meet growing demand for learning. The shortage is particularly significant in developing regions, with sub-Saharan Africa facing some of the greatest pressure. UNESCO’s earlier global assessment estimated that the region alone needs about 15 million additional teachers, as a rapidly growing school-age population continues to increase demand for education. But the challenge is not only about recruiting more teachers. UNESCO, the International Labour Organization, UNICEF and Education International are calling for stronger measures to retain experienced educators, improve working conditions and create motivating and sustainable career pathways. New UNESCO data shows that in 75 per cent of countries covered by the OECD’s TALIS 2024 survey, fewer than four in 10 teachers felt their profession was valued. The global shortage therefore places the status and working conditions of teachers at the centre of the education debate. As countries work towards universal access to quality education, the message from UNESCO is clear: expanding classrooms without enough qualified, supported and motivated teachers will not be enough to meet the needs of a growing generation of learners.

Happy World Teachers’ Day 2026 🎉 Today, people around the world honour the dedication and impact of teachers. Since 1994, World Teachers’ Day has celebrated the transformative power of education and the pivotal role teachers play in shaping our future. This year is particularly significant as it marks the 60th anniversary of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers https://lnkd.in/d7vfmA6G, an important reference point for recognising and supporting the teaching profession. Six decades on, its relevance remains strong, with this year’s World Teachers’ Day focusing on protecting and advancing the status of the teaching profession in a rapidly changing world. The anniversary is marked by a global celebration at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, which includes discussions on the teaching profession, the presentation of the ten finalists for the UNESCO-Hamdan Prize for Teacher Development, and the announcement of this year’s three laureates. Supporting teachers is also key to inclusive education. This is central to the fourth of EASNIE’s Ten Pillars Shaping the Future of Inclusive Education https://lnkd.in/gibnpaMN, which highlights the importance of professional learning, supportive working environments and teacher well-being for inclusive practice. 📚 Read about the global celebrations on UNESCO’s website https://lnkd.in/gxJ--xMF  🔗 Find out more about EASNIE’s work to support teachers and develop their inclusive practice https://lnkd.in/drsF-Kju #EASNIE #InclusiveEducation #Education #WorldTeachersDay #TeachersDay #TenPillars #TeacherAppreciation #Collaboration #TeachingProfession #UNESCO #FuturesOfEducation #EuropeanUnion #EuropeanCommission #ErasmusPlus 

Today, on UNESCO #WorldTeachersDay, we stand with teachers. 🍎 According to the Global Report on Teachers released by UNESCO and the Teacher Task Force, the world needs 44 million more teachers by 2030 to achieve SDG 4. ICDE members are helping widen the path into the profession through open, flexible and inclusive education. Explore the work of ICDE members advancing open, flexible and inclusive learning: https://lnkd.in/eK62fQuU

Since 2000, global completion rates have increased across all levels of education: 🔹 Primary: 77% to 88% 🔹 Lower secondary: 60% to 78% 🔹 Upper secondary: 37% to 61% These gains show that sustained policy efforts can improve retention and completion. Yet millions of learners still leave education early. At current rates of expansion, the world would only achieve 95% upper secondary completion by 2105. Explore the data in the UNESCO 2026 #GEMReport on access and equity: https://lnkd.in/ec9yvM7v #YourStoryCounts