Our work in this area
-
News 19 May 2020 South Africa: The safety of educators and students is of serious concern in the reopening of schools and colleges
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) has expressed grave concern at government plans to reopen schools and education institutions on 1 June. Urging the government to prioritise safety, the union has compiled preconditions and non-negotiable items to be met before any educators resume on-site teaching.
South Africa: The safety of educators and students is of serious concern in the reopening of schools and colleges -
News 15 May 2020 France: Teacher unions insist on health guarantees for students and their teachers for the reopening of education facilities
French teachers have reacted to the government’s announcement of the relaxation of the lockdown and reopening of school facilities from 11 May, asking the public authorities for an assurance that the school year will be restarted with face-to-face education and full health safety measures to prevent the propagation of COVID-19...
France: Teacher unions insist on health guarantees for students and their teachers for the reopening of education facilities -
News 11 May 2020 Morocco: Educator unions present public authorities with proposals for return to school
The four Moroccan affiliates of Education International have met with the Ministry of Education to highlight ways to ensure quality education and a safe return to class in the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic.
Morocco: Educator unions present public authorities with proposals for return to school -
News 6 May 2020 Burkina Faso: Health and safety issues to be addressed before schools reopen
Teacher unions in Burkina Faso are urging public authorities to ensure that adequate safety measures are in place for students and educators before the reopening of schools scheduled for 11 May. The unions recognise that remote teaching and learning is not happening uniformly throughout the country and cannot replace education...
Burkina Faso: Health and safety issues to be addressed before schools reopen -
Research Covid-19 and Education: How Education Unions are Responding. Survey Report
6 May 2020Covid-19 and Education: How Education Unions are Responding. Survey ReportEducation International surveyed its member organisations across five regions to learn about the different strategies and approaches of their governments, and the actions their own organisations to support their members and all education workers. While there are multiple, varied, and substantive challenges from one country to the next, certain trends...
-
News 5 May 2020 Philippines: Beginning of new school year should be tied to appropriate health measures
Education unionists in the Philippines have reiterated the need to ensure safety from COVID-19 in all classrooms for teachers and students before opening education establishments for a new school year.
Philippines: Beginning of new school year should be tied to appropriate health measures -
News 5 May 2020 USA: Teacher union presents roadmap to safely reopen schools and communities
The American Federation of Teachers has launched a blueprint providing guidance for safely and responsibly reopening school buildings and other institutions and imagining a ‘new normal’ for public education, public health, and the economy in the age of COVID-19.
USA: Teacher union presents roadmap to safely reopen schools and communities -
News 4 May 2020 EI Asia-Pacific Regional Committee adopts statement on COVID-19
The statement adopted by the Asia-Pacific Regional Committee cites the divergent approaches of governments to the impact of COVID-19 on health, workers, and the economy. It also stresses the lack of consultation of education unions, with rare exceptions, on questions related to the pandemic in the region.
EI Asia-Pacific Regional Committee adopts statement on COVID-19 -
News 4 May 2020 EI African Regional Committee adopts statement of COVID-19 impact and re-opening of schools
The Education International Africa Regional Committee, in a virtual meeting held on 20 April 2020, adopted a statement that focused on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education in the region and urged governments to consult teachers and education support personnel (ESP) through their representative organisations to ensure that...
EI African Regional Committee adopts statement of COVID-19 impact and re-opening of schools -
News 30 April 2020 Education International Guidance on Reopening Schools and Education Institutions
As a growing number of countries are considering easing restrictions and gradually resuming onsite education, Education International stresses a set of five dimensions that should be considered by governments, in dialogue with educators and their unions, when planning this next phase of the response to the COVID-19 crisis in education.
Education International Guidance on Reopening Schools and Education Institutions -
Publications EI Guidance to Reopening Schools and Education Institutions
30 April 2020EI Guidance to Reopening Schools and Education InstitutionsWith schools and education institutions closed in a majority of countries, there are critical issues for governments to take into consideration, as countries gradually begin to re-open early childhood institutions, schools and higher education institutions. It is imperative that governments communicate transparently and continuously about the plans for reopening onsite...
-
News 29 April 2020 Jordan: Non-payment of teacher salaries in the private sector affecting mainly women
Despite continuing their work online, teachers in private schools in Jordan are not being paid their full salaries. Most of the teachers affected are women. Education International urges the Jordanian government to guarantee the fundamental rights of teachers and education workers and update national legislation to prohibit gender discrimination at...
Jordan: Non-payment of teacher salaries in the private sector affecting mainly women -
News 15 April 2020 Germany: Education union raises concerns around reopening of schools
A German education union has voiced its concern at proposals to reopen schools closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Issues to safeguard educator and student health include addressing how social distancing will operate in classrooms, the wearing of face masks, and infection prevention in facilities and public transport.
Germany: Education union raises concerns around reopening of schools -
Publications Guiding principles on the COVID-19 pandemic
27 March 2020Guiding principles on the COVID-19 pandemicThe following principles and recommendations should guide the responses of education unions, governments and partners to COVID-19.
-
News 26 February 2020 UK: Retention crisis looming as teachers dissatisfied with pay conditions
Key education unions in the UK have warned that a majority of teachers have already considered leaving the profession due to pay concerns.
UK: Retention crisis looming as teachers dissatisfied with pay conditions -
News 30 January 2020 The Netherlands: Strike action demands government funding of education and teachers
Education International strongly supports the Netherlands’ education staff who are set to strike again – they are seeking appropriate and sustainable funding in the public education sector. Most Dutch schools will be closed from 30-31 January.
The Netherlands: Strike action demands government funding of education and teachers -
News 20 January 2020 UK: Unions highlight shortcomings of Ofsted report on ‘stuck’ schools’
Education unions in the UK have said that a report detailing how some schools have improved and others have not does not paint the full picture, and school inspection must be reviewed.
UK: Unions highlight shortcomings of Ofsted report on ‘stuck’ schools’ -
News 17 January 2020 Global education trade union community mourns Australian Justice Trevor Olsson
Education International salutes the memory of Trevor Olsson, a highly respected jurist from Australia on the Joint International Labour Organisation/UNESCO Committee of Experts on the Application of the Recommendations concerning Teaching Personnel. Justice Olsson did much to promote the status of teachers over his 21 years of service.
Global education trade union community mourns Australian Justice Trevor Olsson