Teachers' Day in China: A loop of respect

The university leaders extended Teachers' Day greetings to Mohammad Saiyedul Islam. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Mohammad Saiyedul Islam: Sometimes, a flower can say what words cannot. A simple bouquet can carry gratitude, respect, affection, and memories that remain with us for years.

For me, Teachers' Day flowers in China represent a deeper journey: from being a student who once stood before teachers with flowers in hand to becoming a teacher who now receives flowers from students and university leaders.

When I first came to Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics as an international student, I was deeply impressed by the way Teachers' Day was observed. On Sept 10, students presented flowers to their teachers as a gesture of respect and gratitude. I remember standing as a student, holding flowers for my teachers and wishing them a happy Teachers' Day.

At that time, it seemed simply a special day to thank those who taught us. I never imagined that one day I would experience the same tradition from the other side of the classroom.

Today, I am a teacher at Sanming University in Fujian province. This year, when my students presented me with flowers and wished me a happy Teachers' Day, I felt a very different emotion. The flowers were familiar, but their meaning was new. I realized that teachers and students are linked not only by teaching and learning, but also by respect, trust, encouragement, and human connection.

What touched me even more was seeing the university's highest administrative and policy-making leaders extending Teachers' Day greetings to teachers, their gestures sent a clear message that education matters.

Although Teachers' Day is observed at different times across the globe, its core objective remains the same: to honour teachers' contributions and responsibilities. UNESCO designated October 5 as World Teachers' Day, a practice observed since 1994.

Celebrations vary by country and may include flowers and gifts, cultural programs, award ceremonies, discussion forums, or tributes to former teachers. Despite these diverse forms of observance, these celebrations have fostered a global culture of gratitude toward teachers.

In China, Teachers' Day is not limited to students sending greetings to their teachers. Universities and educational institutions also recognize teachers, highlight outstanding educators, and create an atmosphere of respect for the profession. This broader practice reinforces the value placed on those who stand in front of classrooms, guide students, and help shape their futures.

China established Teachers' Day on Sept 10 in 1985. The decision was intended not only to celebrate teachers but also to raise their social status and promote a culture of respecting teachers, knowledge, and talent.

This year marks China's 42nd Teachers' Day, highlighting the vital role of educators in shaping minds and building the nation, and emphasizing a spirit and culture of respect for teachers and a commitment to valuing education.

Mohammad Saiyedul Islam, along with other students, extended Teachers' Day greetings to the President of Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

China boasts the world's largest education system, with roughly 440,000 schools and 280 million students. In 1985, China had about 9.32 million full-time teachers nationwide; four decades later, that number had doubled to nearly 18.7 million. As teachers have become more highly qualified, most primary and secondary teachers now hold at least a bachelor's degree.

This history matters because it shows that Teachers' Day in China is more than a ceremonial occasion. It is connected to a broader cultural tradition. Respect for teachers has deep roots in Chinese civilization, and the modern Teachers' Day was created to strengthen that respect and encourage society to value knowledge and education.

From my experience, one of the most meaningful aspects of Teachers' Day in Chinese universities is the involvement of institutional leadership. When university leaders visit teachers, offer flowers or greetings, recognize their work, and participate in celebrations, it gives the occasion special significance. Such gestures may seem small, but they can powerfully affect teachers' sense of belonging and professional dignity. A teacher spends much of the year giving knowledge, time, patience, encouragement, and sometimes even emotional support.

A day when the institution and students say, “We appreciate you,” can be deeply meaningful.

For me, however, the most beautiful part of Teachers' Day is the circle it creates. Tomorrow, my students may become professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs, or teachers themselves.

Perhaps one day they will remember their university days and the teachers who encouraged them. Some may even stand in a classroom and receive flowers from their own students. In that moment, the meaning of Teachers' Day will pass from one generation to another.

This experience has also changed the way I understand teaching. As a student, I mainly saw teachers as people who provided knowledge and guidance. Now, as a teacher, I understand the responsibility behind the profession much more clearly. A teacher is not simply delivering lectures or completing a syllabus. A teacher is helping young people develop confidence, curiosity, values, and the ability to face an uncertain future.

That is why the flowers I received this year at Sanming University meant so much to me; they reminded me of where I started, how far I have travelled, and the responsibility I now carry.

They also reminded me that education is ultimately about people. Behind every lesson is a teacher who cares, and behind every teacher is often a student who once inspired that teacher to keep learning.

Teachers' Day in China therefore teaches me a lesson that goes beyond flowers. It shows how a society can turn gratitude into a culture and respect into an institutional value. For an international teacher like me, the experience is particularly meaningful because I have lived on both sides of this tradition as a student giving flowers and as a teacher receiving them.

The flowers I once gave to my teachers have now, beautifully, come back to me. They are no longer simply flowers; they remind me that education creates a continuing circle of respect.

Students learn from teachers, teachers learn from students, and each generation carries that respect forward. That is the true meaning of Teachers' Day: to remind us throughout the year why teaching, learning, and respect for teachers matter.

Mohammad Saiyedul Islam, PhD, is a senior lecturer and researcher in the School of Overseas Education (School of Foreign Languages) at Sanming University in East China's Fujian Province.