On World Teachers' Day, the Minns Labor Government is celebrating NSW teachers for their tireless support of the state's students and their contribution to our communities.
Today, schools and communities will take time to say thank you to the state's 170,000 teachers who educate students across Government, Catholic and Independent schools.
It can also be a day to reflect on how to support teachers, whether it is getting involved in your local school community, or providing a personal "thank you" to a special teacher for the extra work they put in.
The effect of quality teaching extends well beyond the classroom, shaping the minds and lives of students long after they complete school.
Education is at the heart of the NSW Government's agenda, and the Minns Labor Government has made significant progress working to restore respect to this vital profession.
This includes scrapping the unfair wages cap, giving public school teachers the biggest pay rise in a generation, and delivering on our election commitment to offer 10,000 temporary teachers permanent positions.
This work is crucial after teachers were treated with contempt for 12 years by the Liberals and Nationals, who denied the state was in the grips of a teacher shortage crisis, refusing to properly invest in our children's educational futures.
The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) is encouraging school communities to share kind messages on its NSW Teaching Gems Map, where many messages have already shown the high regard in which the state's teachers are held.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Prue Car said:
"Today we can all take a moment to value our passionate and hardworking teachers.
"Teaching is one of those rare professions where you have the opportunity to transform young lives.
"It's that commitment to enriching young minds that makes teaching both a vocation and a profession, and World Teachers' Day is the perfect opportunity to let teachers know how grateful we are."
