Ei-iE

On October 7, World Day for Decent Work, educators around the world join the global union movement in calling for peace and democracy for all. Without peace, there can be no social justice, and without social justice, peace cannot last.

“The call for peace is inseparable from the call for quality public education. Education is not only a casualty of war—it is a tool for peace. The destruction of schools and the targeting of children undermine the foundations of society. When a school is destroyed, it’s not just about the building—it’s about the future. Without safe places to learn, entire generations are left behind, trapped in cycles of poverty and inequality that are hard to break. Public education is the key to fostering sustainable peace and democracy. Teachers must be given the tools and support to play this role fully”, stated Education International President Mugwena Maluleke.

“At our 10th World Congress held in Buenos Aires from July 29 to August 2, education unionists made a strong call for peace through a set of resolutions that define our position as a movement. We call on all governments to adopt and implement EI’s Safe Schools Declaration and commit to protect educational institutions and the right to education during conflicts. We stand against unrestrained military spending and call on governments to instead focus on all means to promote world peace, including education. The spiral of violence must end.” said David Edwards, Education International General Secretary.

A global call

In Myanmar, the military dictatorship continues to violently repress the population. The people of Myanmar are demanding democracy, starting with the recognition of the National Unity Government.

Since 2022, Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine has caused unimaginable human suffering and cost thousands of lives. The global trade union movement continues to call for peace and the restoration of Ukraine’s sovereignty.

In Palestine and Israel, the worsening conflict has killed and displaced thousands and is now engulfing other countries in the region. Education International strongly condemns all forms of antisemitism and islamophobia. EI has joined global trade unions demanding an immediate ceasefire, the release of the hostages and all those detained without due legal process, the safe return of all workers trapped by the conflict, unrestricted access to humanitarian aid, and a lasting two-state solution.

Education International also calls for an end to the bombing of Lebanon, which has devastated entire communities, shut down schools nationwide and caused hundreds of civilian casualties, including teachers and their students.

In Sudan, a bloody war continues to rage, affecting millions of innocent civilians. More than 90% of schools have been closed, not only depriving children their right to education, but also exposing them to forcible military recruitment and gender-based violence. The international community’s muted reaction to this tragedy is indefensible.

Supporting teachers in crisis settings

Against this backdrop, the United Nations High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession has made clear recommendations to support teachers in conflict and crisis settings. One of the key recommendations is targeted support for teachers working in emergencies, ensuring that their well-being is prioritized and that they receive fair pay and decent working conditions. This includes establishing mechanisms to guarantee that teachers are paid on time and in full, no matter the context.

The recommendations also emphasize the need to facilitate employment opportunities for refugee teachers, allowing them to continue teaching in host communities. This not only ensures continuity in education but also provides displaced teachers with dignified work and stability.

Additionally, the recommendations include the creation of a Global Fund for teachers’ salaries in crisis-affected regions. This fund would provide the financial stability necessary to ensure that education continues, even in the most challenging circumstances.

These recommendations offer a roadmap to ensuring that teachers, like those in Gaza, Sudan, or Ukraine, have the stability they need to continue their vital work. Implementing them will not only protect education but also contribute to building peace.