In commemoration of the World Teachers’ Day 2026, Dr. Ngozi Florence Manafa has called for greater recognition, improved working conditions and sustained professional support for educators, describing teachers as a vital force in shaping individuals and building society.
Manafa, an educationist and Founder of Flora Field Montessori School and Flora Field College, made the call in her message to teachers, educationists, parents and learners to commemorate World Teachers’ Day, observed annually on October 5.
She described teaching as far more than a profession, saying teachers have a fundamental responsibility to shape minds, nurture talents and prepare young people to confront the challenges of the future.
According to her, the influence of teachers often extends well beyond the classroom, as educators inspire, guide, correct, encourage and help learners discover their abilities.
She noted that behind virtually every profession and field of endeavour is a teacher who, at one point, helped to illuminate the path for those who later became doctors, engineers, lawyers, scientists, entrepreneurs, administrators and leaders.
Teachers At The Heart Of Development
Manafa said no society seeking sustainable development could afford to overlook the importance of teachers or the conditions under which they work.
While education remains central to human development, she said teachers are at the heart of the education system because of their responsibility to help young people acquire knowledge, develop character and become responsible members of society.
She acknowledged the challenges confronting educators, including diverse learning needs, changing technologies, demanding curricula, heavy workloads and increasing expectations from parents and society.
Despite these challenges, she said teachers continue to report to classrooms and other learning environments each day with the responsibility of making a difference in the lives of their students.
For Manafa, education should not be reduced to examination results or the acquisition of certificates.
She said effective education should equally help learners develop character, confidence, creativity, critical thinking and the ability to contribute positively to society.
She further observed that an effective teacher looks beyond a child’s immediate academic performance to identify potential and encourage development.
“A kind word from a teacher may restore a child’s confidence. A lesson may awaken a lifelong passion. A teacher’s encouragement may give a struggling child the courage to try again”, she said.
Call For Practical Support
Manafa said teachers deserve not only celebration but practical support that enables them to perform their responsibilities effectively.
She identified professional development, decent working conditions, adequate learning resources and meaningful institutional support as areas requiring sustained attention.
According to her, supporting teachers ultimately amounts to investing in children, families and communities.
“Every teacher matters. Every classroom matters. Every child matters”, she said, stressing that the impact of teaching may not always be immediately visible.
She noted that many teachers may never know how far their influence reaches, as lessons, encouragement and values imparted in the classroom can continue to shape learners years after they leave school.
Manafa’s Education Career
Manafa, who holds a Ph.D in Educational Management, has built her career around education, school leadership, teacher development and the development of children and young people.
As Founder, Administrator and Head of School of Flora Field Montessori School and Flora Field College, she has focused on creating learning environments that promote the academic, social, creative and moral development of learners.
Her professional interests include Montessori education, early childhood education, inclusive education, educational leadership, teacher development and school improvement.
Her approach to education is based on the belief that children should be given opportunities to learn, grow and discover their individual abilities.
Through her work in school administration and education, she has promoted professional growth among teachers and encouraged teaching practices that respond to the changing needs of learners.
She has also been involved in research, writing, training and educational advocacy, with interests extending to issues affecting the quality and management of education.
Manafa is the author of Tiny Hands, Big Lessons: What Children Teach Us Daily, a work centred on lessons that can be drawn from children and their experiences.
Her interests and activities also extend beyond the classroom to community and developmental initiatives involving families, young people and women.
Recognising Teachers Across All Levels
In her Teachers’ Day message, Manafa acknowledged educators working across different levels and areas of learning.
She recognised early childhood teachers who introduce young children to basic skills and learning, primary school teachers who help pupils develop foundational knowledge in reading, numeracy and other subjects, and secondary school teachers who guide young people through a critical stage of their development.
She also recognised lecturers and teacher educators who prepare future professionals and educators, as well as teachers working in difficult environments and those supporting learners with additional needs.
She said each group contributes to the broader development of society and deserves recognition for its role in educating the next generation.
‘Your Work Matters’
Manafa urged teachers not to underestimate the significance of their daily work, particularly when the results of their efforts are not immediately apparent.
She noted that a student who appears inattentive in class could remember a lesson years later, while a learner whose confidence was restored by a teacher could eventually become a successful professional or leader.
Similarly, she said, a struggling learner who receives the continued attention and encouragement of a teacher may eventually discover abilities that were not initially apparent.
She therefore encouraged educators to remain committed to their responsibilities despite the challenges associated with the profession.
“Your impact may not always be measured by certificates, awards or public recognition. Sometimes, your greatest reward is simply knowing that a life became better because you taught, encouraged and cared”, she said.
Manafa also thanked teachers for their patience, sacrifices and commitment to children and young people, particularly those who continue to teach and support learners despite difficult circumstances.
As teachers around the world mark World Teachers’ Day 2026, she called for renewed attention to the welfare, professional development and working conditions of educators.
She said giving teachers the resources, respect and support they need would strengthen education and contribute to the development of a more productive and responsible society.
“Teaching is service. Teaching is influence. Teaching is nation-building. Teaching is a service to humanity”, Manafa said.