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.
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
Education International firmly supported its affiliates in Hong Kong and Taiwan protesting against the legislative change which would facilitate extradition to mainland China.
Solidarity with Hong Kong education unionists’ protest actions
On 3 July, over 60,000 education support workers went on a 3-day strike in South Korea to request improved working conditions and job security.
Korea: teacher unionists stand in solidarity with striking education support workers
Education International and the Francophone Trade Union Committee for Education and Training are demanding the immediate release of seven teachers arrested in Djibouti on apparently unsubstantiated charges.
Djibouti: teachers are being unfairly imprisoned
Education International warmly welcomes the historic move by the 108th Centenary International Labour Conference, which has just adopted a first of its kind global instrument: a Convention and Recommendation on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work.
2019 Centenary International Labour Conference adopts new Convention and Recommendation on violence and harassment in the world of work
As growing numbers of refugees try to find safety from conflict, persecution, and natural disasters often induced by climate change, Education International is highlighting the plight of displaced children and educators worldwide.
World Refugee Day: Teachers stand up for displaced children and teachers
Education trade unions representing state-subsidised private education in France have made history by uniting to put forward their demands and call for “decent and peaceful working conditions for all employees”, as “a matter of survival and dignity”.
France: private education unions mobilise for better working conditions for all
In 2015 the number of immigrants seeking asylum in Sweden reached record numbers. In total, Sweden received 163 000 asylum seeking refugees that year. For us. as a teachers’ union, it was natural to contribute to the creation of a system that would make good use of the teaching competence...
“The Fast Track for Newly Arrived Teachers in Sweden: the union’s perspective”, by Patrik Ribe.
In her 1948 speech concluding the work of the nascent UN Commission on Human Rights, Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Democracy, freedom, human rights have come to have a definite meaning to the people of the world which we must not allow any nation to so change that they are made synonymous...
“World Refugee Day: Stop Fencing out Democracy”, by David Edwards.
Education International and its affiliates ensure that the voice of educators is heard loud and clear at this year’s International Labour Conference in Switzerland.
Challenges and conditions of teaching profession at heart of international debate
Education international and the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union welcome the decision of the President of South Africa’s to appoint former President of Education International, Cde Thulas Nxesi, to the Cabinet of South Africa as Minister of Labour and Employment.
Former EI President Thulas Nxesi appointed to South Africa’s cabinet
Education International brings the voice of teachers and education personnel to the 108th session of the International Labour Conference.
International Labour Conference celebrates its centenary
Can we finally drop the whole “Glass Ceiling” thing? I have.
"Mobilising Against the Labyrinth", by Susan Hopgood.
Almost 50,000 New Zealand teachers take to the streets to advocate for a higher education budget.
Members of New Zealand teacher unions unite in largest teachers' strike in New Zealand history
Education trade unionists belonging to the Kurdistan Teachers’ Union and the Iraqi Teachers’ Union took stock of the situation of education in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, urging the responsible public authorities to make education a priority and allocate an appropriate budget to it.
Iraqi educators take stock of the education system in the Kurdistan region of Iraq
The General Secretary of the Federation of Knowledge Workers of the Italian General Confederation of Labour reacted to the suspension of Rosa Maria Dell’Aria, a teacher from Palermo. The teacher was penalised in this manner because it was alleged that she did not supervise the work of her 14-16 year-old...
“The Italian school system is in danger”, by Francesco Sinopoli.
Extreme Right parties, often populist and nationalist, have become stronger than in any time since the Second World War. We have witnessed a return of racist, xenophobic and authoritarian policies and politics on all continents of the world.
“Attacks on democracy and teachers in Italy”, by David Edwards,
After the suspension of a teacher for the contents of a video produced by her students, the Italian education unions are taking action to denounce an attack on academic freedom and a serious threat to democracy.
In Italy, unions mobilise to defend academic freedom