Education and Early Childhood Development
October 5, 2015

Recognizing Those Dedicated to Student Success

Minister Celebrates World Teachers' Day

Each year on October 5, the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO) celebrates World Teachers' Day to recognize educators and the central role they play in providing children everywhere with a quality education. The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, is encouraging school communities and the general public to show their appreciation for the contributions that teachers make to their community.

"World Teachers' Day is a time to honour our teachers and join with people all over the world to celebrate our teachers. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere appreciation to them for the important work they do to influence our youth and contribute to our society. As a former teacher I know the energy, dedication and passion that is required in the classroom every day. Thank you to all of the teachers in this province for continuing to make a positive impact in the lives of their students to help them reach their full potential."
- The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development

In Newfoundland and Labrador, there are over 5,900 teachers working in a variety of roles in the classroom as well as administrative roles in the school and both school districts.

UNESCO has designated Empowering Teachers, Building Sustainable Societies as this year's theme. The theme acknowledges that teachers are not only a means to implementing educational goals, but they are also the key to creating sustainable and empowered communities that are based on knowledge, values and ethics. UNESCO is also encouraging people from around the globe to use #WorldTeachersDay when recognizing teachers on social media.

"Investing in our education system is one of the best choices we have made as a government. We continue to have one of the best pupil-teacher ratios of any jurisdiction in Canada and our per-pupil investment is the best in Atlantic Canada and among the best in the country. Approximately 60 per cent of the entire education budget in 2015 is allocated to teachers' salaries, substitute teachers, student assistants, professional development and various services for teachers. I am very proud of the investments we have made in our teachers. The returns are boundless and will have a positive impact for many years."
- Minister Sullivan

The Provincial Government has made unprecedented investments in K-12 and early childhood education, with the overall budget increasing from approximately $600 million in 2003 to over $926 million in 2015.

QUICK FACTS:

  • World Teachers' Day is celebrated on Monday, October 5, and is recognized in over 100 countries.
  • UNESCO has designated Empowering Teachers, Building Sustainable Societies as this year's theme and encourages people to use #WorldTeachersDay when recognizing teachers on social media today.
  • In Newfoundland and Labrador, there are over 5,900 teachers working in a variety of roles in the classroom as well as administrative roles in the school and both school districts.
  • Approximately 60 per cent of the entire education budget in 2015, is allocated to teachers' salaries, substitute teachers, student assistants, professional development and various services for teachers. I am very proud of the investments we have made in our teachers.
  • The Provincial Government has made unprecedented investments in K-12 and early childhood education, with the overall budget increasing from approximately $600 million in 2003 to over $926 million in 2015.

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Media contact:

Blair Medd
Director of Communications
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
709-729-0048, 631-8465
blairmedd@gov.nl.ca

2015 10 05                              11:00 a.m.