Time for teacher

By Itsarin Tisantia
Photos courtesy of Bangkok Post

January 16 is a special time for Thai students to pay respects to their teachers, often by giving them flowers in gratitude for the knowledge and guidelines that the teachers have imparted to them.

This week's exercises looks at the history of Teacher's Day in Thailand and explores some of the Teacher's Day celebrations in other countries.

All around the world, a special day is set aside so that students can give thanks to their teachers for their hard work and dedication. In Thailand, most educational institutes across the country will hold various activities on January 16 to express gratitude for their teachers' devotion.

THAI TEACHER'S DAY

The Teachers' Council of Thailand under the Ministry of Education passed a resolution to establish January 16 as Teacher's Day from 1957 onwards. Teacher's Day has been a holiday for teachers and students ever since. The ministry usually holds many activities to celebrate Teacher's Day, such as religious activities arranged to provide encouragement for educators, ceremonies held in appreciation of exemplary teachers, and formal events to present Best Teacher Awards, which are granted annually by the prime minister.

WORLDWIDE RECOGNITION

Apart from Thailand, many countries around the world celebrate their own Teacher's Days. In China, Teacher's Day is held on September 10. Like Thailand, China marks the special day with activities to show appreciation to teachers, such as presenting gifts, cards and flowers. Many former students also return to their old schools in order to give presents to the teachers that they'll never forget.

Indonesia's Teacher's Day is celebrated on November 25. Although Teacher's Day there is not a holiday like it is in Thailand, Indonesian schools hold similar ceremonial activities in recognition of teachers, headmasters and school staff.

SWEET CELEBRATION

Schools in the Eastern European country Ukraine celebrate Teacher's Day each year on the first Sunday of October with concerts and other gatherings. On the occasion of Teacher's Day, students give their teachers gifts such as flowers and chocolate, while teachers celebrate with their families and friends at home or in restaurants.

EXCERISES

Read the story. Then, match each of the following words used in the story with the correct definition from the choices that follow.

1. Devotion	a. something that can be used to help you make a decision or form an opinion
2. Headmaster	b. the action of spending a lot of time or energy on something
3. Guidelines	c. the hard work and effort that somebody puts into an activity or purpose because they think it is important
4. Dedication	d. a teacher who is in charge of a school