Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday joined a discussion marking World Teachers’ Day 2026 to recognise teachers’ contributions to education, society and nation-building and uphold the dignity of the teaching profession.

The discussion, organised by the Ministry of Education, is being held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital with Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon in the chair.

This year’s World Teachers’ Day is being observed under the theme “Standing with Teachers: Sixty Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status, Shaping our Futures.”

As part of the central programme, the prime minister is scheduled to hand over cash awards of Tk 200,000, crests and certificates of recognition to 102 distinguished teachers selected from primary to higher education levels.

The National “Gunijon Teacher Recognition” is being given to 102 teachers this year, up from 12 in previous years, to enhance the social dignity of teachers and recognise their professional contributions, according to the Ministry of Education.

The award recipients have been selected from primary, secondary, college, university, medical, agricultural, engineering, science and technology and other specialised higher education institutions across the country.

The final list was prepared by a national steering committee based on panels recommended by separate search committees formed by the Directorate of Primary Education, Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, Directorate of Technical and Madrasa Education and the University Grants Commission.

World Teachers’ Day is observed globally every year on October 5 to honour teachers and highlight their contributions to education and society.

The day was first observed in 1994 following a decision taken at the 26th General Conference of UNESCO in Paris in 1993 to designate October 5 as World Teachers’ Day.

Different countries have since observed the day under themes approved by UNESCO.