The celebration of teachers and the teaching profession echoed across the country on Wednesday in honour of the global celebration of World Teachers' Day.

Different school across the nation both in Upolu and Savai'i had their own programmes to acknowledge the hard work, commitment, passion and dedication of all the educators past and present and their great contribution to the development of Samoa. 

At Faleata College, teachers were acknowledged during a special assembly hosted by the school on Wednesday, which is commemorated globally as World Teachers' Day. 

The teachers dressed in their old school uniforms and were acknowledged by the students through singing and poetry.

Commemorating teachers day is a day of thanksgiving, according to the Vice-Principal of Faleata College Malae Falefou, who admitted that being a teacher is no walk in the park. 

"Teachers Day is a very important day for all of us teachers," she told this newspaper. "We're so happy and privileged that our work is being recognised and acknowledged not only in Samoa but also worldwide; marking this day as a special day for all the teachers in the country.

"Being a teacher is not an easy task and career. 

"We are responsible for molding the future of Samoa and we know the importance part we play in the development of the country."

Mrs. Falefou said that they appreciate the acknowledgements they receive every year when the nation commemorates Teachers Day. 

"Sometime we tend to forget the significance of this role and some take for granted the work that we do. But commemorating teachers day reminds that of the vital role we play within our communities in nurturing and developing and shaping the minds of the future leaders of the country. 

"We understand that we are dealing with the future of Samoa and if we develop and nurture them well, they will become better citizens in the future.

"Therefore, we are always proud of this celebration and it's something we cherish and are very grateful to have. Recognition is very important and it motivates us to carry on with the work that we do."

It was also a day to pay homage to the hard work of the teachers who have passed on who paved the way for the teachers and students in Samoa now. 

"It is a good opportunities to pay tribute to the work teachers do in Samoa, because we are where we are now because of the work done by other teachers in the past. Those who have passed on and had sacrificed a lot in the past in educating the leaders we have now. 

"It's a day of thanksgiving and celebration. At the same time, we also want to acknowledge those who have supported our profession throughout the years."

And like anything in life, Mrs. Falefou admitted that teachers faced a lot of challenges in the classroom and school compound on a daily basis. 

However, with the guidance of the Lord and the support of the community, they are able to cope with the difficulties and come out with better results for their students. 

"There are a lot of challenges and it's never an easy profession. For this school, we have more than seven hundred students enrolled in this school. So that means we have to deal with 700 different personalities and attitudes. 

"Teaching the students what they need to learn is one thing but working on fixing their attitudes and discipline them is another different story. 

"So those are some of the things that we continue to face as we have students from different backgrounds and different mindsets. We always make sure that we don't bring in family problems within the school compounds, not only for the teachers but also for the students.

"That is why it is always to start the morning fresh every day through prayers and morning devotion. God will guide you throughout the day and help us achieve anything we set our hearts to."

On the eve of Teachers Day in Samoa, Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa also congratulated the teachers while urging them to work together. 

She is also of the view that collective effort can produce better results. 

The Director-General of U.N.E.S.C.O., Audrey Azoulay on Teachers Day, also called on governments around the world to step up their support for teachers, warning that the profession is struggling to retain its workforce and attract new talent.