Ei-iE

Leading the profession

Teachers and education support personnel know what works in education. They must be recognised and empowered to deliver on the promise of quality education for all.

At the classroom level, academic freedom and professional autonomy are prerequisites for quality teaching and learning. As professionals, teachers must be afforded the space and trust to make the best possible decisions for their students.

Beyond the classroom, education policy must be informed by the vast experience and insights only education professionals can provide. We advocate for the involvement of teachers, education support personnel and their representative organisations in all decision-making in education and work towards the expansion of sectoral policy dialogue at all levels and in all countries.

Our work in this area

  1. News 19 June 2019

    The OECD Teaching and International Survey (TALIS) 2018 data released

    The latest Teaching and international Survey (TALIS) 2018 report released by the OECD illustrates the issues teachers face in their workplace; focusing on working time and training of teachers.

    The OECD Teaching and International Survey (TALIS) 2018 data released
  2. Worlds of Education 9 May 2019

    “Trade union research and action: an exchange of views on academic mobbing”, by Jean-Marie Lafortune and Eve Seguin.

    Jean-Marie Lafortune, Eve Seguin

    In October 2018, the Quebec Federation of University Professors (FQPPU), affiliated to Education International, published a report entitled “Le mobbing en milieu académique : mieux comprendre le phénomène pour mieux l’enrayer” (“Mobbing in an academic environment: understanding the phenomenon better in order to eradicate it better”). Jean-Marie Lafortune, president of...

    “Trade union research and action: an exchange of views on academic mobbing”, by Jean-Marie Lafortune and Eve Seguin.
  3. Worlds of Education 2 May 2019

    "Industrial Revolutions, Rebellions and Civil Society: Lessons from History", by Robert Trevennel Harris.

    Robert Trevennel Harris

    The events of 1968 in France, which shook the fifth Republic to its core, are sometimes mentioned in connection with the current yellow vest movement. A more relevant historical comparison is 1848 - the year of the "People’s Spring” revolutions.

    "Industrial Revolutions, Rebellions and Civil Society: Lessons from History", by Robert Trevennel Harris.
  4. Research

    The future of the teaching profession (Second edition)

    John MacBeath
    16 April 2019

    This study contains profound insights into the nature of teacher professionalism. Debates on the policy directions in education in the past decade have been increasingly focusing on learning outcomes and effectiveness indicators in search of the “hidden truth” or the “holy grail” of what makes an effective school. While effectiveness...

    The future of the teaching profession (Second edition)
    1. Download
  5. Worlds of Education 11 April 2019

    "Higher Education, and the purpose of education", by Jens Vraa-Jensen

    Jens Vraa-Jensen

    Seen through a neoliberal political framework, education’s main purpose is to be an instrument for economic development, increased productivity of workers and creation of new jobs. In such a context, education is not one of the key factors for social and human development. Any debate on education must always clarify...

    "Higher Education, and the purpose of education", by Jens Vraa-Jensen
  6. Worlds of Education 2 April 2019

    "Education should not be a waiting room for life", by David Edwards.

    David Edwards

    “It is often argued that the purpose of early childhood education is to prepare children for school, so that schools, in turn, can prepare children for adulthood and for the work force. This approach reduces childhood to a waiting room.” -- Steffen Handal, President, Education Union of Norway (UEN).

    "Education should not be a waiting room for life", by David Edwards.
  7. Worlds of Education 25 March 2019

    “Finland leads the way”, by David Edwards.

    David Edwards

    Sometimes it appears that hope is draining from the world and that, for both young and old, pessimism is becoming the default position. The trouble with pessimism is that it is negative. It annuls the ability to act; to create something better which benefits future generations. I believe that education...

    “Finland leads the way”, by David Edwards.
  8. Worlds of Education 14 March 2019

    “Success comes only to those countries that invest in education”, by Olli Luukkainen and David Edwards.

    Olli Luukkainen, David Edwards

    Humanity is faced with many threats including climate change and threats to the environment. A vision is needed for these problems to be solved. Changing lifestyles and consumption habits can contribute to solving these problems but at the heart of helping humanity to survive is education, training and research.

    “Success comes only to those countries that invest in education”, by Olli Luukkainen and David Edwards.
  9. Worlds of Education 11 March 2019

    "Let´s work together – Looking forward to ISTP 2019 in Finland", by Anders Rusk

    Anders Rusk

    We received good news in the beginning of autumn 2018 when we were told that Finland was appointed host country for the International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2019. This was something we in the Opetusalan Ammattijärjestö, OAJ, had lobbied, for before, without success. We are proud to contribute to...

    "Let´s work together – Looking forward to ISTP 2019 in Finland", by Anders Rusk
  10. News 6 March 2019

    Teachers’ professional development and conditions - vital signs for student well-being and progress

    An Education international - commissioned study for the EI Research Institute on teacher professional identities, based on seven localities and five case studies, shows that teachers are concerned about the well-being and progress of students. They also consider professional development and learning central to that mission along with professional standing...

    Teachers’ professional development and conditions - vital signs for student well-being and progress
  11. Worlds of Education 28 February 2019

    "Students and Climate Change: A Lesson in Global Citizenship", by David Edwards

    David Edwards

    Student mobilisation on climate change is a strong call on democracy to deliver for the planet. It is a rejection of “climate deniers”, but also of “business as usual.” Its ultimate success will depend on expanding the mobilisation while graduating from protest to politics, including by linking lower carbon emissions...

    "Students and Climate Change: A Lesson in Global Citizenship", by David Edwards
  12. Research

    Constructing teachers’ professional identities

    Philippa Cordingley
    28 February 2019

    This study aims at examining how teachers’ professional identities are constructed in seven contrasting education systems. The jurisdictions - Berlin, Chile, Kenya, Ontario, Scotland, Singapore and Sweden - were selected to achieve an economic and geographical balance and a range of contexts in relation to educational performance and teacher supply...

    Constructing teachers’ professional identities
    1. Report
    2. Case studies
  13. Worlds of Education 19 February 2019

    “Evidence-based labour activities for gender equality and the rights to gender and reproductive health”, by Yoshiko Norimatsu.

    Yoshiko Norimatsu

    The Japan Teachers’ Union contributes to achieving gender-related rights through its programmes and policies focused on the rights of female educators. A recent JTU research, for example, has shown how terms of employment are interlinked with reproductive health and childcare challenges.

    “Evidence-based labour activities for gender equality and the rights to gender and reproductive health”, by Yoshiko Norimatsu.
  14. News 18 February 2019

    Another step on the path towards open access

    Education International has answered a call for consultation on open access of research, stressing that the public good is served by the widest and most accessible dissemination of scholarly work and educational material.

    Another step on the path towards open access
  15. News 25 January 2019

    Today’s Priority - The future of Finland’s education policy

    The annual Educa trade fair organised by Opetusalan Ammattijärjestö, a national education union affiliated to Education International, OAJ, will bring together thousands of Finnish teachers and education policymakers.

    Today’s Priority - The future of Finland’s education policy
  16. Worlds of Education 22 January 2019

    Work with a human face, by David Edwards

    David Edwards

    Life-long learning means different things to different people. However, some common principles for lifelong learning are essential for a global consensus on a human-centred agenda for the future of work.

    Work with a human face, by David Edwards
  17. Worlds of Education 19 December 2018

    SDG4 & education for sustainable development: Why we should celebrate an apparent failure? By Antonia Wulff

    Antonia Wulff

    The expert group in charge of the SDG indicators rejected the proposed measurement strategy for target 4.7 on education for sustainable development, human rights and global citizenship. A dramatic turn in the SDGs serial but is it really as disastrous as it seems? And what does this mean in practice?

    SDG4 & education for sustainable development: Why we should celebrate an apparent failure? By Antonia Wulff