President Iohannis: 'Modern education needs elite, well prepared, motivated teachers'

His message to the event, which marked October 5, the World Teachers' Day, was delivered by state adviser Ligia Deca. 

The president stressed that a strong Romania needs educated and trained citizens. "On the World Teachers' Day, we must recall the importance of education to the social and economic development of our country. A strong Romania needs citizens who are educated and prepared to face the challenges of an ever-changing world. The educational system must provide the young people with the necessary skills for the labour market, including adjustment to the challenges of a digital society. We live at a time when the Internet can turn rumors into news and can counter realities by false information. Such a real danger to democracy can only be fought against with a solid foundation of education that stimulates critical and autonomous thinking." 

Iohannis added that modern education needs elite teachers who are well-prepared and motivated. "I wish that as we build an 'educated Romania', based on values and adapted to the realities of the modern world, the role of the teachers in society is recognised and appreciated in accordance with its transforming power. " 

According to the head of state, teachers were some of the most important actors in the consolidation of Romania's December 1, 1918 Greater Union. 

"In the year of the centennial, we celebrate all those who have contributed not only to the achievement of the Greater Union, but also to the consolidation of the unitary national state by supporting civic, social and economic life. The teachers were undoubtedly some of the most important actors in the consolidation of the union. The role of education was understood by the decision-makers of that period, as testified by the officials of 1918-1919 attempting to organise the public education in Romanian in the united territories as soon as possible. Even before 1918, teachers would lead actions to preserve the national identity of Romanians living abroad, carrying out the educational process in often difficult conditions. Many of the great Romanian scholars of the last centuries made special efforts to establish schools, educate young Romanians and develop a national dimension of education. All this helped consolidate the Greater Union by cultivating a Romanian national feeling, regardless of the temporary realities of the political frontiers." 

Iohannis congratulated the Spiru Haret Federation of Teachers' Trade Unions on organising the event, and also on their involvement in the national project called "Educated Romania." "I hope that in the future, your involvement will lead to a better understanding and appreciation of the role of the teachers in the construction of modern Romania," President Klaus Iohannis also said.

AGERPRES