NT Education Minister Selena Uibo today returned to the classroom to give thanks to her one-time colleagues across the Territory, as part of World Teachers Day.
Ms Uibo celebrated the annual event with staff at Stuart Park Primary School, where she presented Principal Bernie Bree with a certificate recognising his 40 years of service in NT schools.
World Teachers Day celebrates teachers, principals and support staff across the globe, and recognises the exceptional work they do to support young people to learn, grow and achieve.
It was inaugurated on 5 October 1994 by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). While it is celebrated worldwide every year on 5 October, due to school holidays, the Territory recognises the occasion on the last Friday of October each year.
To coincide with this day, Ms Uibo will tonight host the annual Teaching in the Territory Excellence Awards, which will honour Territory teachers doing exceptional work in our schools.
As noted by Minister for Education, Selena Uibo
The Territory Labor Government wants for all our young people what every teacher in the NT education system wants: to give every single child the best possible start in life.
As a government, we are working hard on this, with this years record, $1.14 billion education budget, but we know we cannot achieve it without our passionate, dedicated teachers.
Today is all about celebrating our teachers who are working so tirelessly in this extraordinary profession. A quality teacher has a lasting, lifelong impact on children.
As a former teacher, I know this job comes with challenges but it also comes with extraordinary rewards. As Education Minister, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to every one of our NT teachers, whose work is valued far more than many of them may know.
The previous CLP Government slashed $135 million from the education budget, which cost hundreds of teachers and support staff their jobs. We recognise how valuable our teachers are and are reinvesting in education with this years record $1.14 billion education budget.
As noted by Stuart Park Principal, Bernie Bree.
Since starting my teaching life in 1977, I have loved every aspect of what we do as teachers - being with young people and supporting them as they learn and grow; working beside passionate teachers who do whatever is required to support the children; partnering with our community as they prepare their children for life.
It has not been a job, it has been my life and I feel privileged to have been part of the lives of so many people for over 40 years. When people ask me what I do, I proudly answer, Im a teacher.
