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.
Education International welcomes the appointment of Nobel laureate, Malala Yousafzai, as United Nations’ Messenger of Peace, a key international role where she will be able to continue to fulfil her commitment to the promotion of girls’ education.
Malala Yousafzai, appointed UN Messenger of Peace
Teachers in Argentina were targeted when their peaceful protest on the eve of 9–10 April was violently repressed by police. The demonstration, aiming to set up a 'mobile school' in the form of a white tent in front of the National Congress in Buenos Aires, was brought to an abrupt...
Argentina: Rising tension as teachers’ protest repressed by police
Teacher unionists in Armenia reaffirmed their commitment to human rights and democracy by participating in a national high-level seminar, which highlighted the role of education unions in protecting human rights and values.
Armenia: Unionists underpin role of education in teaching human rights and values
The global educators’ community condemns the adoption of legislative amendments proposed by Hungary’s government, endangering the independence of the Central European University and, consequently, fundamental pillars of all democracy.
Hungary: EI deeply concerned about impact of new legislation on academic freedom
A new documentary film about the fate of Sakine Yilmaz, former general secretary of Egitim Sen, and her life as a refugee in Germany sheds light on the oppression and persecution of tens of thousands of teachers in Turkey.
Documentary shows Turkish teachers' plight
On 26 March, more than 7,000 workers from all over Myanmar took part in a demonstration called by the Confederation of Trade Unions Myanmar to urge Myanmar’s public authorities to respect workers’ holidays and rights.
Myanmar: Thousands march for workers’ rights
Following a worldwide solidarity campaign initiated by the education union movement, Omar Ali Ewado and Ahmed-Kadar Nour, leaders of Djibouti’s Syndicat des Enseignants du Premier Degré, have been released after eight days in jail.
Djibouti: global education community welcomes release of two colleagues
Education workers have called for a well-supported strike in order to pressure Myanmar’s public authorities to respect their right to collective bargaining, especially during holiday periods when family is the priority.
Myanmar: educators’ right to collective bargaining on the line
Education International has released a solidarity statement firmly urging Djibouti’s public authorities to immediately release imprisoned education union leaders, stop harassment measures and ensure respect for human and trade union rights, including social dialogue.
Djibouti: EI outraged at teacher union leaders’ arrests
The Confederación Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación joined massive protests in Brazil on Wednesday, 15 March to oppose the pension system reform proposed by President Michel Temer’s interim government.
Brazilians launch indefinite strike against pension reform
For many teachers, the emotional scars of Hurricane Matthew have yet to heal, which is why an international solidarity programme has helped to provide support to their colleagues who need it the most.
Post-hurricane support has helped traumatised Haitian teachers move forward
With continuing threats targeting Roberto Baradel, leader of the Buenos Aires education union, and collective bargaining stalling across the country, Argentina’s teachers are bracing for a difficult start to the new school year.
Argentina: threats to union leader overshadow new school year
An international trade union delegation has offered support to the thousands of teachers dismissed by the government, and to Education International’s national affiliate, which has suffered severe political repression since the political crackdown began.
Turkey: dismissed teachers receive international support
With Ahmadreza Djalali facing the death penalty based on bogus charges of treason, Amnesty International has spearheaded a campaign to free the disaster medicine specialist who has been detained for nearly a year without trial.
Amnesty International calls for the release of Iranian academic
Esmail Abdi, a leader of the Tehran Teacher Trade Association, has seen his judicial appeal rejected by Branch 33 of the Supreme Court on 4 February.
Iranian teacher union leader once again faces possibility serving full prison sentence
The United Nations Human Rights Council is preparing to hear the complaint filed by Education International and six affiliates on behalf of the 43 Mexican student teachers who disappeared more than two years ago.
Education International joins unions’ UN complaint on missing Mexican students
A death threat directed at Roberto Baradel, the general secretary of the Argentinian teachers’ union SUTEBA, has driven the union movement to act as many wonder whether their right to organise is now in peril.
Argentina: death threat puts union freedom at grave risk
News has reached Education International of the rearrest of Iranian education union leader Esmail Abdi.
Iranian unionist rearrested one month after release