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This year’s World Teachers’ Day marked a historic and deeply emotional moment as Education International’s General Secretary marked the occasion in Palestine — standing in solidarity with the General Union of Palestinian Teachers (GUPT) and the educators who continue to hold their community together in the face of occupation, lack of pay, and extreme hardship.

“For the first time ever, I am celebrating World Teachers' Day outside the normal UN surroundings,” David Edwards, General Secretary of Education International shared. “I specifically wanted to come to Palestine and be with the General Union of Palestine Teachers and spend time celebrating their incredible efforts and support for the teachers and students across Palestine.”

Palestinian teachers have been working for over 14 months on just 50% of their salaries — a sacrifice made in solidarity with their communities, as public tax revenues continue to be withheld by the Israeli government. Despite these conditions, their commitment to the education of their students persists.

During the visit, Edwards visited schools and teacher development centers in Bethlehem and at Al-Quds University, beyond the separation wall of Jerusalem. “The hardships they endure, working with such dignity and commitment under occupation are a lesson for us all,” Edwards said, adding that “I wanted to honor them and those we have lost in Gaza, but no words suffice for such a massive failure of humanity. Sometimes, beyond words and statements, we just have to show up for each other.”

The official observance of World Teachers’ Day in Ramallah began with a press conference officiated by the Minister of Education, Mr. Amjad Barham with the Deputy Minister Mr. Nafieh Assaf and the GCE President Mr Refaat Sabbah. Following a meeting with the executive committee of the GUPT, the day continued with a ceremony to mark World Teachers’ Day at Ramallah’s historic theater. Hosted by the city’s governor and attended by more than 200 GUPT leaders, as well as ambassadors from Egypt, Jordan, and Finland, alongside UNESCO and other international guests.

The delegation also met with Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, who shared his vision for education in Palestine. The Prime Minister reaffirmed his dedication to advancing education, placing particular emphasis on investing in teachers as a central pillar of his vision for a future where innovation and ingenuity are Palestine’s biggest exports.

Education International has long advocated for the rights of educators in conflict zones. This year’s theme, “Together for Teachers, Together for Tomorrow,” resonated deeply in Palestine, as hope for a cease fire and peace agreement in the region and the rebuilding of education was top of mind and taking shape. The ceremony also featured a powerful student performance that used art to express the pain of both war and the world’s indifference. “I deeply wish to thank the student performers who demonstrated the power of the arts by conveying complex and painful messages,” Edwards added.

In light of the catastrophic destruction of 95% of the education infrastructure by Israeli bombing and the killing of over 1,000 teachers and of 64,000 children in Gaza in the past two years, there is an urgent moral imperative to rebuild the education system in Gaza and across Palestine.

One of the highlights of the day was the recognition of ten outstanding adult educators and teacher trainers — selected from over 1,000 young women who completed an education program focused on socioemotional learning, resilience, and trauma-informed pedagogy. This program is part of a training developed by GUPT and with the support of the EI solidarity fund. “Spending just a short hour with them was an honor,” Edwards explained, thanking Hilmi Hamdan for his leadership in the program.

The day concluded with multiple media engagements, allowing EI’s message to directly reach parents, students, and teachers across the country. “I’m sure I will be processing this experience for a very long time, but already I know that I am forever changed and humbled by the privilege to be here amongst the brave, caring, generous, and resilient people of Palestine,” Edwards added.

As the world continues to grapple with conflict, wars, and crisis, Education International’s presence in Palestine this World Teachers’ Day served as a powerful reminder: solidarity, dignity, and hope must remain at the heart of global education efforts.