Dear Teachers,

Today marks World Teachers’ Day, which was initiated in 1994 by UNESCO. It is essential, however, to remember why World Teachers’ Day is celebrated on October 5th. This is based on the fact that on that day in 1966, UNESCO and the International Labour Organization adopted in Paris the first international document regulating the status and work of teachers.

And today, almost 60 years after that event, it is imperative to redefine the status and role of the teacher, because technological advancements and challenges facing the educational system necessitate, on the one hand, a reconsideration of the role of the teacher, and on the other hand, granting her a new status, which will maintain the appeal and competitiveness of the teaching profession for the youth, while also motivating current educators to remain in the field and persist in their activities.

This isn’t a one-day task or project. A comprehensive policy is required to address these issues; therefore, we are initiating discussions on a new law regarding the status of teachers, which should become a document that highlights their role within our society and the state, while addressing comprehensive protection, guarantees, and the issues of teachers.

I am pleased to state that our Government has already implemented substantial measures to enhance teachers' professional development, remuneration system, and working conditions. In 2018, around 55 billion AMD were allocated to the teachers’ salary fund. Over the years, this amount has increased by more than 37 billion drams, representing a 67% growth. Teachers' working hours have been revised, reducing weekly class hours from 22 to 18 for elementary grades and from 22 to 20 for middle and high school grades. Additionally, several new remuneration mechanisms have been introduced for teachers in small rural schools, as well as those specializing in natural sciences and information technology.

Voluntary certification has become a mechanism to substantially enhance remuneration for all educators, with over 8,400 individuals applying for participation this year. Considering the fact that over 6,300 teachers have already registered a salary increase as a result of certification, we can clearly state that about half of the teaching community is either already a beneficiary of the voluntary certification system or has applied to become one. Dear teachers, this has been a long journey we have taken together — one accompanied by scepticism, disinformation, and doubt. We have made it because we are together.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your invaluable, tremendous work.

Let’s learn so that we may teach.

Happy Teacher's Day!