Canadian Teachers' Federation on World Teachers' Day: Teachers are "pillars of democracy"

OTTAWA, Oct. 1, 2013 /CNW/ - The Canadian Teachers' Federation (CTF) is stressing the role of teachers as "pillars of democracy" this World Teachers' Day. The worldwide event under the auspices of Education International (EI) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) honours and celebrates the valuable work of teachers each year on Oct. 5.

"The work of teachers is vital. In their classrooms, teachers not only promote democracy but educate their students about the valuable role it plays in enhancing and sustaining the quality of life of all citizens as well as supporting the common good," says CTF President Dianne Woloschuk. "As teachers stand up for democracy both in the classroom and on the national stage, it is only fitting that their voices be heard.

"Good government means listening to all voices," adds Woloschuk. "In a healthy democracy, decisions should be grounded in respectful consultation and ongoing dialogue with all sectors of society not just with those who share the same ideology.

"In these challenging times, it's doubly important right now for Canadian teachers to educate their students about how democracy works and how they will need to play an active role as engaged citizens in their adult years."

Woloschuk adds that the CTF's "Hear My Voice" campaign (http://vox.ctf-fce.ca) was developed to highlight teachers' far-reaching influence and to promote their role in a political democracy. It's been in full swing since February."

"Teachers recognize that political leaders need to consult with society - including teacher leaders and union leaders - to ensure that our Canada becomes more inclusive for the benefit of its people," concludes Woloschuk.

October 5th, World Teachers' Day, is the annual celebration of the valuable work of teachers in Canada and around the globe.  World Teachers' Day was the brainchild of a former Canadian teacher leader, Norman Goble, a former CTF Secretary General who passed away on Aug. 10.  First recognized in 1994, World Teachers' Day now profiles the work of over 30 million educators around the world. For the second year in a row, EI and UNESCO have chosen the CTF's poster design, which uses concentric circles to illustrate the long-reaching influences of teachers.

The Canadian Teachers' Federation (CTF) is an alliance of nearly 200,000 elementary and secondary educators from 17 organizations (15 Members, one Affiliate Member and one Associate Member) across Canada. Follow the CTF on Twitter: @CanTeachersFed and @EnseigneCanada. CTF is also a member of the international body of teachers, Education International (EI).

SOURCE: Canadian Teachers' Federation