Always present: Paying tribute, taking action

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken an enormous toll on education. Beyond school closures and lost learning, countless educators, union members, and leaders of our profession have died. The losses are staggering. Every day we receive notices from around the globe of colleagues who are no longer with us.

The death of one educator is a tragedy for their family, students, and community. The death of so many educators around the world has an absolutely devastating impact on the profession and education as a whole.

Teacher memorial

In the lead up to this year’s World Teachers’ Day – October 5th, 2021 – Education International has launched a memorial website to honour and remember the colleagues we have lost - www.teachercovidmemorial.org. Please use the website to share the stories of friends, colleagues, mentors who have passed away during the pandemic. We want to remember their names and pass on their legacy.

Tribute event

This World Teachers’ Day, Education International will host a global tribute event in their honour. On October 5th we will come together to honour those we lost and who are forever present as we carry out their legacy and celebrate their life’s work, their dedication to their students, colleagues and their profession. We will commit ourselves to taking their mission forward as we organise for better working conditions and vaccine equity.

Register at www.teachercovidmemorial.org/tribute-event/ and join us on October 5th from 1 p.m. CEST. The event will feature interpretation in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese and Russian.