Today’s Google Doodle commemorates World Teachers’ Day, honouring the efforts of educators around the world.
The celebration comes amid seismic changes in education triggered by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, with teachers and students alike forced to adjust to remote learning, disrupted exams and Covid-safe classrooms, among other things.
So, here’s what you need to know about the event:
What is today’s Doodle?
Today’s Google Doodle sees the search engine’s homepage logo redesigned to incorporate a range of essential items linked to education.
A book, laptop, art palette, ruler and pencil are among the items to feature in the colourful design.
Designed by a team of illustrators and engineers, today’s Google Doodle is one of more than 4,000 doodles to have now featured on the company’s homepages around the world.
What is Teachers’ Day?
First observed in 1994, World Teachers’ Day (WTD) commemorates the anniversary of the adoption of the International Labour Organization (ILO) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recommendation concerning teachers’ status.
The 1966 recommendation sets benchmarks regarding the rights and responsibilities of teachers and standards for their initial preparation and further education, recruitment, employment, and teaching and learning conditions.
Why is it celebrated?
Held every year on October 5, WTD aims to mobilise support for teachers around the world.
The celebration is also focused on “assessing and improving the educators of the world”, with efforts this year geared at finding innovative ways of using technology to help teachers in their own development and improve their mentoring skills during the Covid-19 crisis.
Is there a theme this year?
The theme for this year’s celebrations is “Teachers: Leading in crisis, reimagining the future”.
UNESCO said the event will “celebrate the teaching profession worldwide, take stock of achievements, and draw attention to the voices of teachers, who are at the heart of efforts to attain the global education target of leaving no one behind”.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly added to the challenges faced by already over-extended education systems throughout the world,” the UN education agency added in a statement.
“It is no exaggeration to say that the world is at a crossroads and, now more than ever, we must work with teachers to protect the right to education and guide it into the unfolding landscape brought about by the pandemic.
“The issue of teacher leadership in relation to crisis responses is not just timely, but critical in terms of the contributions teachers have made to provide remote learning, support vulnerable populations, re-open schools, and ensure that learning gaps have been mitigated.
“The discussions surrounding WTD will also address the role of teachers in building resilience and shaping the future of education and the teaching profession.”
In a joint statement, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, ILO Director-General Guy Ryder, UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta H. Fore and Education International General Secretary David Edwards also heaped praise on educators around the world for their efforts amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“In this crisis, teachers have shown, as they have done so often, great leadership and innovation in ensuring that #LearningNeverStops, that no learner is left behind,” they said.
“Around the world, they have worked individually and collectively to find solutions and create new learning environments for their students to allow education to continue.
“Their role advising on school reopening plans and supporting students with the return to school is just as important.”