Teachers in Comparative Perspective

Abstract

The starting point for any considerations of teachers in comparative perspective is a document generated by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) titled the Recommendation Concerning the Status of Teachers (ILO/UNESCO, 1966). This document is as relevant today as when it was first issued and is a common referent point for current discussions of teachers' work at local, national, or international levels. The document provides definitions, principles, and guidelines relative to teachers' preparation, on-going education, and rights and responsibilities as members of the profession. It is recommended reading for those wishing to understand the parameters that give shape and meaning to any conversation about teachers and teaching in comparative perspective, and is used to define and set the boundaries for the discussion that follows.