EDUCATION
World Teachers’ Day 2025 Theme: Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession
On October 5, 2025, World Teachers’ Day will be observed under the theme “Recasting teaching as a collaborative profession.” The central event will take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as part of the Pan-African Conference on Teacher Education (PACTED).
This year’s theme underscores a shift from isolated pedagogical practice to a collective, team-oriented model—emphasizing mentorship, peer support, and shared responsibility in teaching. For many teachers in Bangladesh, who often work alone in classrooms, this message resonates deeply.
In Bangladesh, there are approximately 580,000 teachers in primary and secondary levels. Under the Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP), around 450,000 teachers are currently undergoing training. Yet surveys suggest that 67% of teachers lack regular professional discussion opportunities with colleagues, and the teacher attrition rate stands at 5.5 percent.
To address these challenges, proposed strategies include institutional coordination meetings, formal mentorship programs, online networking platforms, and stronger governmental support. For the successful rollout of new curricula, a collaborative framework among teachers is deemed essential.
Globally, UNESCO and the Teacher Task Force are promoting this day to spotlight teacher voices and encourage the transformation of teaching from a solitary task to a shared vocation. Teacher Task Force+1
While October 5 marks a celebration, the real impact will be measured in how education systems adopt supportive infrastructures and collective professional cultures for teachers in the months and years ahead.
Leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra Dal staged a protest at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Friday, condemning the shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent candidate for Dhaka-8 and spokesperson of Inqilab Manch. The demonstration began around 5:30 pm when protesters marched from the Central Shaheed Minar to the hospital, where Hadi is currently receiving treatment.
Chhatra Dal’s central president, Rakibul Islam Rakib, and secretary, Nasir Uddin Nasir, were present at the protest. The demonstrators chanted slogans demanding immediate arrest of those responsible, including “Why was Hadi shot? Interim answer now” and “Direct action.”
Earlier in the afternoon, armed assailants shot Hadi in the Bijoynagar culvert area. He was rescued and taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Following the attack, additional police and security personnel were deployed around the hospital. Authorities are working to identify the attackers and determine the motive behind the shooting
In Noakhali’s Hatiya upazila, the annual exams of more than four hundred students at Charkailash Government Primary School are being conducted by the headteacher alone, due to an ongoing work stoppage by assistant teachers. On 2 December, the assistant teachers were seen staying inside the office room while headteacher Monowara Hoque managed the examinations single-handedly.
Handling five classes at once has resulted in significant disorder during the exams. With no monitoring in several rooms, students were observed talking openly, copying from notebooks, and moving about freely. Concerned parents expressed frustration, saying that exam standards are being severely compromised and students’ academic futures are at risk.
Assistant teachers said they are observing the nationwide work stoppage to press for three demands, including 11th grade status and promotion. They warned of tougher programmes if their demands remain unmet.
Headteacher Monowara Hoque stated that while she respects the teachers’ movement, she is conducting the exams based on instructions from the DPEO, ADPEO and ATEO. She added that she is receiving support from former students to continue the examinations so that children do not fall behind.
Upazila Primary Education Officer Abdul Jabbar said that exams are being conducted in 79 out of Hatiya’s 227 schools. He added that further decisions regarding the remaining schools will be taken by the authorities.
The government has warned that secondary school teachers who suspended students’ examinations are in violation of civil service rules and will face disciplinary action. The caution came from Education Adviser Professor Dr C R Abrar during an exclusive interview with Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) on Monday.
Dr Abrar said the teachers’ decision to halt examinations amounts to a breach of the government’s code of conduct, adding that the authorities have taken a firm stance on the matter. He urged teachers to resume examinations immediately to ease pressure on students and their parents.
The adviser described the demand for upgrading teachers to the ninth grade as unjustified, saying they had joined service knowing they would remain in the tenth grade. He noted that the ninth grade is typically reserved for BCS administration cadre officers and involves inter-ministerial coordination, meaning teachers cannot be placed there unilaterally.
Dr Abrar further alleged that the teachers were “using students as instruments” by suspending examinations during their movement, which he termed unethical. He warned that failure to conduct exams from the next day would result in disciplinary action under civil service regulations.