All teachers and education support personnel have the right to organise and be part of a union that represents and defends their values and interests. However, around the world, education unions are facing serious attacks and operate in increasingly challenging and hostile environments. Revitalising unions, building their power by boosting membership and active participation and maximising impact is the way forward.
A German education union is calling for greater attention to be paid to gender aspects and, in particular, gender justice in shaping the digital future in education.
Germany: Union calls for gender perspective to be included in digital education
The South African Democratic Teachers' Union has kicked off celebrations for its 30th anniversary in the Northern Cape by launching its "I am a school fan" campaign in the province. The campaign aims to address the escalating violence in schools.
South Africa: Union campaigns to eradicate school violence as it marks 30th anniversary
2020 is an auspicious year for women’s rights: the world will look back on what was agreed twenty-five years ago at the 4th UN World Conference on Women in Beijing, China. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action is widely viewed as ‘the world’s most progressive blue-print’ on the rights...
Beijing +25: ‘There is Only Collective Action for a Collective Solution’
Education unions met with the President of Argentina to decide the next steps, after the government relaunched social dialogue.
Argentina reopens the Joint National Commission for Education with a salary increase
Despite international solidarity, human and trade union rights abuses continue in the Philippines. The red-tagging and vilification campaign targeting members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers is escalating.
Philippines: Renewed attacks on teachers and their union
Trade unions in Ukraine are opposing a reform of the labour law that puts such basic workers’ rights as freedom of association and collective bargaining at grave risk. The dangerous provisions apply to workers and their trade unions in both public and private sectors.
Ukraine: unions step up action against labour reform
The Colombian teachers' union FECODE has called for a national strike on 20 and 21 February in demand of “life, peace and democracy”.
Colombia: National Strike in Defence of Peace
The human and trade union rights crisis in Chile is deepening, with education leaders targeted with impunity by state authorities.
Chile: Growing Threats to Human and Trade Union Rights
The Education International Asia-Pacific Regional Committee meeting focused on union responses to threats to human and trade union rights, the impact of climate change, and growing privatisation in education.
Asia-Pacific: Education leaders highlight challenges around rights, climate, and privatisation
Rotating strikes by teachers and education workers are set to continue this week in Canada’s Ontario province. The strike started on 6 February, with negotiations between educators and the province’s government over funding and collective bargaining stalled.
Canada: Educators strike against cuts in education and for collective bargaining
On 3 February, a stampede in the Kakamega Primary School in Kenya's western region left 14 students dead and 40 severely injured. Kenyan education unions have reacted angrily to the factors that led to the tragedy. The unions condemned the lack of implementation of existing safety standards, and addressed the...
Kenya: Deadly stampede in school highlights dangers of overcrowding and poor infrastructure
At a recent meeting, the Committee of the Education International’s Arab Countries Cross Regional Structure reaffirmed their commitment to fight education privatisation and defend democracy in the region. Committee members reported on the challenges faced in their national settings, discussed recent union activities, and strategised for future action and campaigns.
Arab educators tackle diverse challenges to education and teachers in their region
A strike in secondary schools in Ireland has seen hundreds of establishments closed as teachers all over the country demand an end to pay discrimination.
Ireland: Teachers strike for equal pay
Following a year of trade union struggle, the government has issued a decree reinstating the National Joint Negotiation Committee for Teachers (Paritaria Nacional Docente).
Argentina: Trade Unions Welcome Revival of Social Dialogue
The union demands that the education system take immediate action to save our planet
Spain: FECCOO Organises Seminars on Education and Climate Change
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
Teachers in Malawi finally received their December 2019 salaries, thanks to strike action organised by the Teachers' Union of Malawi.
Malawi: Teachers’ strike and student support force government to pay salary arrears
What is more timely for us, Israeli teachers, than talking with our German colleagues about the fight against racism and anti-Semitism? It's already been happening for the 29th time! For the past 50 years, a bi-national seminar has been held once every two years attended by Israeli and German educators...
"A teacher like me” – meeting with German teachers, crossing emotional bridges, sharing positive professional experiences on Holocaust education, by Talia Kranz.