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. Worlds of Education 23 July 2019

    “Climate change action: organising to win”, by Adam Lincoln.

    Adam Lincoln

    As education trade unionists gather together for the 8th EI World Congress, it is clear that working people and students are on the front lines of climate change. Already 83 million climate-related refugees have fled from disaster. 72 million jobs are threatened. Climate change affects our brothers and sisters –...

    “Climate change action: organising to win”, by Adam Lincoln.
  2. Worlds of Education 22 July 2019

    “Our Mandate”, by David Edwards

    David Edwards

    Being elected General Secretary of EI is a great honour. It is a challenge to live up to the confidence that has been given by the representatives of education workers from all regions of the world. It is also comforting to join that small team of talented leaders elected on...

    “Our Mandate”, by David Edwards
  3. Worlds of Education 11 July 2019

    #OffTrack #2: In the Philippines, Schools Serving Indigenous Communities Are Under Attack.

    Today, the United Nations High-Level Political Forum will focus on reviewing Sustainable Development Goal 10 on reducing inequalities and its interrelations with other goals. We are far off track to achieve equitable access to education and equitable educational opportunities for all. In fact, in some countries, governments are introducing policies...

    #OffTrack #2: In the Philippines, Schools Serving Indigenous Communities Are Under Attack.
  4. Worlds of Education 10 July 2019

    #OffTrack #1: In Morocco, Teachers Protest Precarious Employment Contracts That Disregard SDG Commitments to Improve Teacher Employment Conditions

    Today, the United Nations High-Level Political Forum will focus on reviewing Sustainable Development Goal 8 on decent work and interrelations with other goals. We are far off track to achieve decent work for all educators. In fact, in some countries, governments are introducing policies that are worsening the employment and...

    #OffTrack #1: In Morocco, Teachers Protest Precarious Employment Contracts That Disregard SDG Commitments to Improve Teacher Employment Conditions
  5. Worlds of Education 9 July 2019

    #OffTrack #0: Educators Assess Progress Towards SDG 4, by David Edwards.

    David Edwards

    In 2015, governments committed to achieve inclusive, equitable, quality education for all by 2030 (Sustainable Development Goal 4, SDG 4). Four years later, the world is severely off track to achieve the goal. This mini blog series illustrates some of the many obstacles to the achievement of SDG 4, from...

    #OffTrack #0: Educators Assess Progress Towards SDG 4, by David Edwards.
  6. Worlds of Education 27 June 2019

    "Teacher ethics: ethics of presence", by Eirick Prairat.

    Eirick Prairat

    The professionalisation of the teaching profession, initiated at the beginning of the 1990s, was conceived solely in terms of technical skills. There was little talk of ethics at the time. In this text, we would like to show that far from being “an extra soul”, ethics is at the heart...

    "Teacher ethics: ethics of presence", by Eirick Prairat.
  7. 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
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. 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