Uganda’s Teachers Awarded the 2020 Norm Goble Award
Ottawa – For the second consecutive year, the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) has received the 2020 Norm Goble World Teachers’ Day Award.
Created in 2014, the award is offered annually to encourage the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF/FCE)’s overseas partners to carry out activities on World Teachers’ Day (WTD). This year, the award takes on a special significance in the context of the worldwide pandemic. Teachers courageously battle on the front lines to ensure students are able to continue learning in this new environment, while being safe.
The UNATU’s winning proposal is to involve the public in a series of tree-planting ceremonies, led by teachers and school communities. The rationale for this activity draws on both the symbolism of growth and practical benefits of engaging school communities in contributing to the beautification of the school environment. “Winning this award means we can help bring some hope into the lives of teachers who tirelessly contribute to the well-being of their students. Learning does not start and end in the classroom,” declared Filbert Baguma, General Secretary of the UNATU.
The Norm Goble WTD Award is attributed to Dr. Norman Goble, who served as the CTF/FCE Secretary General from 1970-1982, and the World Confederation of Organizations of the Teaching Profession Secretary General from 1982-1988. Dr. Goble made many stellar contributions to education in Canada and throughout the world, and is rightly credited for his work in the initiation of WTD.
Working with Education International (EI), the CTF/FCE lobbied for the creation of WTD. In 1994, UNESCO inaugurated WTD to focus attention on the contributions and achievements of teachers, and to highlight teachers’ concerns and priorities regarding education. October 5 was selected as the date to internationally celebrate teachers because on the same day in 1966, a special intergovernmental conference adopted the UNESCO recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. In adopting this recommendation, governments unanimously recognized the importance for society to have competent, qualified and motivated teachers.
A total of six CTF/FCE partner organizations sent in their applications. Honorable mention prizes were offered to the National Teachers’ Association of Liberia and the Sierra Leone Teachers’ Union.
The Canadian Teachers’ Federation
Founded in 1920, the Canadian Teachers’ Federation is the national voice for the teaching profession. As the national alliance of provincial and territorial teacher organizations, the CTF/FCE represents over 300,000 elementary and secondary school teachers across Canada.
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Andrew King,
Canadian Teachers’ Federation
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