Ei-iE

Just days after an attack on the head office of Colombian teachers union FECODE, the international community has already been quick to express its solidarity and support of Colombian teachers and the peace process.

Education International (EI) has urged its members to support the Colombian union, which recently fell victim to a violent attack at one of its head offices in Bogotá. On the night of 18 May, an explosive device detonated in front of the union’s head office, located at Calle 35 in the nation's capital, causing major damages.

No responsibility for the attack has yet been claimed. However, EI’s statement highlights that these attacks occurred at a time when FECODE is spearheading a nationwide strike in an effort to improve salaries and working conditions. The global union, which represents over 30 million teachers, has expressed its concern for the current situation facing Colombian educators and has called for effective protection from security forces. The statement declares that authorities must “further research and propose real, durable solutions for supporting and promoting quality and free public education”. In keeping with FECODE’s motto, EI demands that schools remain “peaceful territories”.

You can read the full petition here.