Teaching staff of Emma Hoogenhout Primary School will be dressing up as learners to mark World Teachers’ Day today, October 5. It is recognised that teachers are not only the means to implement education goals, but they are also key to sustainability and national capacity in achieving learning and creating societies based on knowledge, values and ethics. However, they continue to face challenges brought about by staff shortages, poor training and low status. ‘Empowering teachers, building sustainable societies,’ is the theme for this year’s World Teachers’ Day.