In a joint message on the occasion of World Teachers' Day UNESCO, ILO, UNDP and UNICEF paid attention to the service of teachers. The message was signed by Koichiro Matsuara, Director General, UNESCO, Juan Somavia, Director General, ILO, Kemal Dervis, Administrator, UNDP and Ann M. Veneman, Executive Director UNICEF. They said teachers make a tremendous contribution to sustainable development by building its human foundation -- Developing a Child's capacity and desire to learn. They reminded of the challenge for teachers of imparting good education to pupils based on high learning standards, and of making schools a welcoming, encouraging, and inclusive place in which all are treated with dignity and every child was the opportunity to reach his or her full potential. They urged that the voice of teachers be heard in shaping the educational decisions which they themselves have to carry out.

On this day, this year the UNESCO General Conference is in session in its headquarters, Paris (3-21 October). We know that ministers representing their countries are attending this conference. It will be good if they implement the recommendations and resolutions passed in the conference while they are back in their home countries. World Federation of Teachers unions (in French Federation International Sindical Dela Ensenanza (FISE) has sent a sizable delegation to participate in this conference. Prof Dr. Akhtaruzzaman, Senior Vice President of FISE and President of Bangladesh College-University Teachers' Association will lead the delegation.

The biggest challenge before the teaching community today is the relentless attack against the tenure and security of service. In most of the countries permanent teaching posts are being abolished or kept vacant for an indefinite period. Teachers are being appointed on a contractual basis or on an ad-hoc basis. Thus teacher-student ratio has become variable and sometimes is on the negative. There is a trend of making education a tradable commodity. Across the globe millions of children in hardship with inadequate food and shelter face towering odds in acquiring basic education.

We should keep in mind that all young children are entitled to good quality education. Education is a social goods and not a commodity.

In Bangladesh there are about seven million people in teaching profession. Polarisation of teachers' organisation in consideration of affiliation to national politics is very much spectacular. Lack of awareness of teachers in professionalism and because of affinity of teachers' organisations to political parties teachers are very much relactant to become member of any teachers' organisation. As such even with right demand teachers' organisations cannot pursue movement and draw attention of the authority.

In our country some recommendations on the "status of teachers" adopted by UNESCO deserve ratification:

• Teachers organisation should be recognised as a force which can contribute greatly to educational advancement and should be associated with the determination of educational policy.
• Working conditions of teachers should be such as promote effective learning and enable teachers to concentrate on their professional tasks.
• Teachers and their organisations should participate in the development of new course text books and teaching aids.
• Teachers should be granted study leave on full or partial pay at intervals.
• Salary of teachers should be reviewed periodically to take into account such factors as rise in the cost of living, increased productivity leading to high standard of living in the country or a general upward movement in wage or salary levels.
• Every teacher should enjoy equitable safeguards at each stage of any disciplinary procedure and, in particular, the right to defend himself and, defended by a representative of his choice.

In today's changing world of jobs and working conditions a society requires to draw special attention upon education, not only in terms of making base of knowledge but also in terms of skills and aptitude that would allow the learner to adapt to the changes taking place every now and then. There is a question swirling in the air, who should teach? The answer is clear, "the best should teach." Because teachers are the curator of yesterday and architect of tomorrow, always they accomplish their mission through the minds and talents of others.

Teaching may be considered as the predecessor of all other professions and can be called mother profession. It is based on skills. Beginner teachers must have an opportunity to learn about the practical requirements of the profession from experienced mentors. Provision of ongoing in-service education and professional development in the process should be properly maintained. Teachers must have opportunities for life-long learning in retaining them in the profession in years ahead. Teachers training -- both initial and in-service -- should be integrated in the national policies.

It is time to give more attention to support to the teachers who are the actors and not just operators in the process of education so that they can guarantee the quality of education.

Prof MA Bari is General Secretary Bangladesh College-University Teachers' Association (BCUTA).