World Teachers' Day: Let's value the voices of teachers

Can only one teacher carry the responsibility of transforming education? The evidence shows us that the answer is no. Teaching is not isolated work; instead, it is a collective effort enriched by support and collaboration. Within the framework of World Teachers' Day, under the slogan "Redefinir la docencia como una profesión colaborativa", UNESCO celebrates the strength of a profession that is renewed when conceived as a joint task.

Teaching constitutes the heart of the entire educational system. Teachers are those who drive learning, promote inclusion and innovation in schools and in society. Nevertheless, in many contexts teachers work in precarious conditions, without structures that make shared work easier, with no time to plan collectively or enough opportunities to build communities with colleagues, mentors and directors. This situation weakens motivation, hinders innovation, and in many cases, drives many to leave the profession.

UNESCO insists that teaching must be recognized as a collective effort in which teachers generate knowledge and are key actors in social and educational transformation. The idea is that one teacher cannot bear the responsibility for learning outcomes alone.

Collaboration is not a luxury; it is necessary to face the complexity of classrooms, ensure meaningful learning and take care of those who teach.

This urgency is reflected in international evidence. Recently, the " Informe GEM de la UNESCO sobre el liderazgo en la educación " reveals that only half of the countries promote collaboration in leadership roles, and only one-third of training programs prepare their school leaders to share responsibility through openness, cooperation and partnership. Also, " Informe Mundial sobre el personal docente " of UNESCO and an expert group on teachers states that the profession is going through a crisis, marked by a decline in social recognition, low levels of remuneration, work overload, limited autonomy and not enough resources. This situation discourages the incorporation of talented individuals into teaching and undermines the quality and accessibility of education for millions of students.

In this context and for this reason, on World Teachers' Day, the General Director of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, with the leaders of ILO, UNICEF and Education International, warns in a joint message about the lack of qualified teachers, poor working conditions and the lack of trust in the profession constitute urgent challenges for the current education system, which no country can continue to ignore.

In response, " Grupo de Alto Nivel sobre la Profesión Docente del Secretario General de las Naciones Unidas ", emphasizes the importance of international cooperation to ensure that teachers receive respect, autonomy, the resources they deserve, and recognizes them as key protagonists of educational transformation.

This October 5, we greet all teachers in Peru and the world, and we express our appreciation not only for their personal effort, but also for their capacity to build together. Happy World Teachers' Day. Thank you for reminding us always that teaching opens horizons within the community, showing hope and weaving the future with others.