March 28 has been celebrated as Teacher's Day in Slovakia and the Czech Republic for seven decades, a tradition established by the Czechoslovak government in 1955. The date honours the birth of Jan Amos Comenius (1592), a renowned Czech philosopher and educator known as the "teacher of nations" and the creator of modern pedagogy.
Comenius was a pioneer in education, advocating for compulsory schooling for all children regardless of social background or intelligence. He introduced the school year and class hours, and developed the framework for pedagogy as a science. His famous quotes like "repetition is the mother of wisdom" and "learning through play" have become widely recognized.
Teacher's Day in these countries predates World Teachers' Day, established by UNESCO in 1994 and observed on October 5 to mark the adoption of the Teacher's Charter. Today, Slovakia is undergoing significant changes in its education system, aiming to improve both literacy and the skills needed for the 21st century. Curriculum reform began in 2023 and will continue expanding, with the new educational program set to be fully implemented in all Slovak primary schools by the 2026/2027 school year.
To elevate the teaching profession, the "Teacher Personality of Slovakia" award was created in 2018 by the Center for Environmental and Ethical Education Živica and the Comenius Institute, and recognizes exceptional educators.
Source: TASR
