Explore the history of education and discuss who the world's first teachers were—Confucius or Aristotle—on Teachers' Day, 2024.

Thinking back on the history of teaching is appropriate as we celebrate teachers all throughout the world on September 5, 2024, which is Teachers' Day. Confucius is sometimes cited as the world's first teacher, even though the day is dedicated to Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the country's first vice president and second president.

Confucius, who was born in China in 551 BC, is regarded as a teacher, who paved the way. He was a philosopher who devoted his life to mentoring and teaching, establishing the standard for both official education and private tutoring. He taught a broad range of disciplines, such as mathematics, history, and music. The old Chinese educational system was completely changed by Confucius's initiatives to provide education to everyone, regardless of social standing. His dedication to education has created a long-lasting legacy that continues to shape classroom procedures all throughout the world.

Aristotle made significant contributions to education, and his scientific and philosophical ideas had a significant influence on Western philosophy. Confucius broke traditional social mores in his day by granting access to education to those outside the nobility, while coming from a humble background. He was able to make a big impact on the creation of the educational standards of his era due to his creative dedication to teaching. However, Aristotle—who is well-known for his diverse contributions ranging from biology to philosophy—also left behind a solid educational legacy through his Lyceum school.

As we celebrate teachers today, let's appreciate the long history of education and the continuing influence of those who have shaped it.