Happy Teachers' Day!

The teachers through their trade unions fought gallantly for this day to be introduced. The government ultimately gave in and in 1996; the national teachers’ day was introduced. It was first celebrated on the first Thursday of June every year. The teachers through their unions again complained on it being celebrated on a Thursday. The argument being that the following day the teachers are supposed to be at work despite being tired from the preparations and celebrations of the day. It was then changed to the first Saturday of June.

The introduction of the public service act no.30 of 2010 brought in another argument that a Saturday is a rest day for the teachers as is for any other Public officer who is governed by the act. The teacher trade Unions argued that if the day is not changed from Saturday, then a Monday following the national teachers’ day be declared a public holiday for the teachers. The day then ultimately metamorphosed to the first Friday of June. The teachers’ trade unions need to be applauded for this justified cause.