Teachers to celebrate global ties

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Teachers across the UK are being urged to wear a tie to show solidarity with their colleagues working in countries hit by war or fighting against poverty.

The charity Education Action is asking for £1 from those who take part in the event to mark World Teachers' Day.

Teachers are being encouraged to wear a tie or, if they regularly do so, to wear their tie in an unusual way.

World Teachers' Day was set up in 1994 by Unesco to celebrate the contribution teachers make across the globe.

Education Action trains and supports teachers working in difficult circumstances to educate children in Africa and the Middle East.

The charity has chosen a tie theme as a representation of the connection between teachers around the world.

Pat Griffiths, from Llwyn Yr Eos School in Aberystwyth, is keen to support the scheme, having visited colleagues in Sudan earlier this year.

Teachers can wear their tie in an unusual manner

"Education is the best way to lift countries out of poverty and well-trained, better-paid teachers are crucial," she said.

"The teachers I met in Sudan are desperate for more training because they want to improve the lives of the next generation.

"They often work long hours without training or pay, taking extra jobs just to survive. We want to show our support for our colleagues and will be wearing our ties on 5 October with pride."

'We don't have enough books'

Hellen Yamba has been teaching in southern Sudan for 19 years, but only received her first training with the help of Education Action last year.

Ms Yamba said there were not enough books for pupils.

"There are 1,040 children in my school but there are only 20 teachers. Classes are divided but they are still too congested.

"We are unable to build more classrooms and we don't have enough books. All the teachers are volunteers."