UNICEF hails work of Myanmar's teachers on World Teachers' DayCalls for Support Global Drive Towards “Education for All” Yangon, 05 October 2004 – Today, on the occasion of World Teachers’ Day, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) hailed the invaluable contribution that Myanmar’s teachers make in the lives of the nation’s children. “Education is a fundamental part of children’s development, and the key to their future prospects in life,” said UNICEF Representative Carroll Long. “Teachers are at the heart of this process.” “Every day across Myanmar thousands of teachers go beyond the call of duty to help their students learn and grow – not for any riches or reward, but simply out of a heartfelt commitment to the children they teach. Today we take pause to honor their unselfish contribution to Myanmar’s children.” “There are few jobs more important or challenging than cultivating and nurturing the minds of children and youth,” Ms. Long added. “It is therefore important that all of us do what we can to support Myanmar’s teachers in their noble endeavor.” Thanks to funding from the Japanese National Committee for UNICEF (via Rissho Ko Seikai – the Japanese Buddhist Association) and the Swiss National Committee for UNICEF, UNICEF in Myanmar supports the nation’s teachers by providing them with training and material assistance, and by fostering community support of their work. This year UNICEF is training approximately 6,850 primary school teachers across Myanmar in child-focused interactive teaching methodology, providing them with the tools they need to bring the most out of their students. UNICEF has trained more than 27,500 teachers nationwide since introducing its “Child Friendly Schools” program in 2001. These teachers have also received teaching manuals, learning aids and other essential supplies to assist them in the classroom. UNICEF is also a strong supporter of Parent Teachers Associations (PTAs) in Myanmar. To help foster parental and community support of teachers in their work to create a better learning environment for children, UNICEF has trained more than 34,000 PTA members in Myanmar in ways that they can become constructively involved in the management of schools and enhancement of children’s education. A Global Drive Towards Education for All The nations of the world have committed themselves to the goal of “Education for All” by 2015. Today, throughout the world, however, there remains a pressing need to bring more teachers into classrooms, and to provide these teachers with the financial, intellectual and social support they need to properly educate the world’s children. Ensuring that every child in the world has the chance to attend primary school is something that can only be achieved with additional support. In 2003, Myanmar completed an “Education for All National Action Plan” setting targets for attaining the “Education for All” goal by 2015. UNICEF in Myanmar is also working with the nation’s teachers, PTAs and other partners to make “Education for All” a reality in the future.
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