The State is striving to improve the professional capacity of teachers and upgrade teaching standards.
Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu, Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing, sent a message to the ceremony to mark World Teachers’ Day, which falls on 5 October 2025. The full text of the translated message is as follows:-
Esteemed teachers,
First and foremost, I extended my greetings with best wishes for all teachers in the entire Myanmar to enjoy physical and mental well-being on the occasion of World Teachers’ Day, which falls on 5 October 2025. Today, the fifth of October, is World Teachers’ Day with auspiciousness.
World Teachers’ Day, which falls on 5 October every year, has been celebrated throughout the world for 32 years since 1994. Myanmar has also been organizing World Teachers’ Day for 23 years, since 5 October 2002, as a gesture of honouring the teachers who are always striving for their duties with noble actions such as passion, goodwill, and compassion, so that no one is left behind in reaching the goal of education.
A teacher imparts knowledge to students, enables them to acquire skills, uplifts their morale, teaches them the disciplines needed to walk uprightly through their lives, helps them distinguish between right and wrong, and adorns the lives and the world of their pupils. Therefore, understanding the profound gratitude owed to teachers, the tradition of paying respect to them in accordance with noble customs has existed in Myanmar since ancient times and continues firmly to this day.
Sayadaw Shin Maha Silavamsa in Inwa era who wrote the advice of poems, describing “Three Great Benefactors such as Mother, Father and Teacher who are unrivalled in the three noble worlds,” while Sayadaw Shin Maharatthasara composed the advice of poem with the title of “Gambhisara” which stated “The Virtuous Persons with wisdom give words of advice, showing causes and effects, and protégés are happy whenever they listen to words of advice of mentors”. These words of advice express the admirable virtues and gratitude worthy of teachers.
Teachers are scholars who enrich human society with knowledge; they are guides and mentors who lead their students with goodwill and devotion; they are compassionate individuals who teach, advise, and nurture their pupils with heartfelt care as if they were their own children; they are kindhearted mentors who dispel the worries and troubles of their students; and they are like gardeners who tend to and help blossom the beautiful, fragrant flowers of youth. Therefore, teachers are rightfully regarded and revered as benefactors equal in dignity to the Lord Buddha, worthy of the deepest respect and veneration.
A teacher, according to the saying “A teacher not only teaches knowledge but also shapes character,” is not merely an instructor of academic subjects. Teachers guide students to become well-rounded individuals who possess a spirit of Union and love for their country, who value and observe discipline, who think rationally and with understanding, who show empathy and consideration for others, and who cultivate habits of working for the common good. To nurture good citizens for the nation and the world, teachers must combine life experiences and practical examples to teach lessons on morality, civic responsibility, and essential life skills in an engaging and meaningful way.
In this modern and ever-evolving age of education, teachers must continually study and acquire up-to-date knowledge and technologies in order to keep pace with the international community. As they are nurturing their students to become knowledgeable and skilled individuals, teachers themselves must also engage in continuous learning to enhance their own quality and professional development.
The State is striving to improve the professional capacity of teachers and upgrade teaching standards. To enhance the teaching capacity of teachers, capacity-building courses are being conducted to enable them to apply innovative teaching methods aligned with 21st-century skills, integrate digital competencies into their instruction, and promote library-based learning and teaching approaches.
Today, the development and progress of nations around the world increasingly depend on the quality of education. The primary responsibility of teachers is to nurture students and youth into well-rounded, high-quality, and outstanding human resources, embodying the five strengths of physique, intellect, character, compassion, and material skill. Only by cultivating knowledgeable and visionary individuals can the nation be built and advanced to achieve even greater development than it has today.
Since education plays a central role in developing human resources, the government has been giving priority and support to the advancement of education in line with the slogan, “Let us ensure the education sector for the development of the Nation”. Efforts must focus on improving the education sector, ensuring that every school-age child has access to schooling, and increasing the rate of grade progression. The government will continuously provide support to enhance both the physical and mental aspects of the education sector, and parents, teachers, students, and responsible authorities must work together hand in hand to achieve these goals.
In today’s world, every nation truly needs good teachers who can provide high-quality education. Therefore, special emphasis is being placed on continuously producing new generations of capable teachers. To ensure the availability of high-quality teachers, efforts must be made to systematically nurture and develop both current teachers and those entering the teaching profession, and to improve the conditions within the teaching sector to make them truly excellent.
On the occasion of the World Teachers’ Day, I would like to urge you all to build a peaceful and harmonious future society, teachers are strongly encouraged on World Teachers’ Day to educate, train, and nurture their students so that a new generation of youth emerges fully equipped with knowledge, skills, expertise, and personal qualities, embodying the five strengths. These young people will develop strong character, discipline, and comprehensive knowledge, carry forward the nation’s interests, understand and accept diversity, value and respect equality, and apply the fundamentals of peace in practical life, becoming human resources who can contribute effectively to national development in accordance with the responsibilities of teachers and the guidance of parents.
I would like to conclude my greetings that may all teachers enjoy good health and well-being, successfully fulfil their educational responsibilities, and, as those who selflessly nurture knowledge and wisdom with goodwill, may they be blessed with abundant goodness in all aspects of life.
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