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.
On 14 December, nine teachers were sentenced to 91 days imprisonment by a criminal court of the province of Hamadan in Iran.
Iran: Intimidation of teachers continues
Teachers throughout Ethiopia have been summoned to meetings with school principals, where teachers are informed they shall elect school representatives for the "Ethiopia Teachers' Association".
Ethiopia: EI condemns government interference in the union elections
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that: "Everyone has the right to education".
Educators commemorate International Human Rights Day
The Council of Global Unions*, headed by the EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen, protested against the arrests of several trade union leaders following the imposition of the state of emergency earlier in November.
Pakistan: Protests after the arrest of trade unionists during state of emergency
EI deplores the murder of two teacher trade unionists within the past week
Colombia: Two teacher unionists murdered in 5 days
In an email dated 29 October 2007, Gemoraw Kassa, General Secretary of the Ethiopian Teachers' Association(ETA), informed EI that the Ethiopian Federal Supreme Court decided on that day to release on bail detained colleagues Anteneh Getnet, Berhanu Aba-Debissa, Wolde Dana, along with Wibit Ligamo, Dana’s wife.
Ethiopia-Three teachers released
In light of the Urgent Resolution adopted by its recent 5th World Congress, EI calls on the solidarity and support of its members and partners to ensure the immediate release of detained Ethiopian colleagues.
Ethiopia: EI relaunched Urgent Action Appeal for the release of ETA members
Teachers in Argentina joined a national strike convened by EI affiliate CTERA on October 4th to demand that those responsible for the assassination of Carlos Fuentealba be brought to justice.
Argentina: Carlos Fuentealba remembered
Education International is deeply concerned by reports that up to 600 students have been denied exit from Gaza despite assurances from the Israeli authorities that they would be allowed to leave.
Students detained in Gaza
Teachers have been on strike for a month in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Education International has again demanded action by President Joseph Kabila to resolve the crisis.
Democratic Republic of Congo: EI continues to support striking teachers
Education International encourages all member organisations to write to the Burmese representatives in their countries following the recent violent repression used to break up peaceful demonstrations.
Burma: Urgent Action Appeal
EI has written to Ehsanul Haque, Private Secretary to the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, expressing concern at the violent repression of university student protests.
EI deplores repression of academics and students in Bangladesh
The world must not stand aside, but must act in support of a free and democratic Burma. That is the message from the World Congress of the Public Services International, taking place in Vienna from 24 to 28 September.
PSI World Congress
Schools across the world are being urged to join together in performing The Poverty Requiem on October 17th - International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
Stand Up and Sing Out against poverty and inequality on 17th October
EI is delighted to inform all members and Global Union partners that Raquel Castro, Colombian teacher and union activist, was released from prison last August 2nd.
Colombia: Raquel Castro finally released
Following the resolution passed by the 5th EI World Congress held in July 2007, EI urges the governor of the State of Oaxaca, Ulises Ruiz Ortiz, to find an immediate and satisfactory solution to end the conflict between the authorities and teachers.
Mexico: Solution to the conflict in Oaxaca must be found, says EI
The 5th EI World Congress held from 22-26 July in Berlin passed an urgent resolution on the current situation in Peru, where the conflict between the government and teachers has resulted in many arrested and one teacher killed.
Peru: Government urged to respect teachers' rights
Today, 9th August, is the ITF/ITUC International Action Day in solidarity with union leaders Mansour Osanloo and Mahmoud Salehi.
International Day of Action in solidarity with Iranian union leaders