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.
Addressing the Minneapolis Police Department, Minnesota’s elected officials, and the media, the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers and Education Support Personnel demand justice after the death of George Floyd, a black citizen, while he was arrested by police officers. They are calling members and concerned citizens for solidarity by adding their...
USA: Educators join in public outcry and demand justice for George Floyd
The Centrale des syndicats du Québec (Quebec Labour Congress – CSQ) has urged the government of Quebec to engage in full social dialogue and respond to solutions put forward by trade unionists with a view to halting financial austerity measures, improving employees’ working conditions and thereby strengthening public services, particularly...
Canada: Quebec teaching union members deplore government monologue in public-sector negotiations
In New Zealand, education unionists have won historic pay equity increases for education support personnel. Over 22,000 school teacher aides have been offered a life-changing pay equity settlement including pay increases of up to 28 per cent.
New Zealand: Historic pay equity increase for education support personnel
Education International stands firmly behind its affiliate, the Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union, and personnel facing degrading and threatening statements made by Chief Executive Carrie Lam.
Statement | Global education community rallies in defence of academic freedom in Hong Kong
As president of the National Council of Education Support Professionals of the National Education Association (USA), I have the distinct honor of representing Education Support Professionals (ESPs) across the United States. We are crossing guards, bus drivers & bus monitors, paraeducators, secretaries, custodians, interpreters & translators, cafeteria workers, and everything...
“Education Support Professionals Need Protection Now!”, by Rae Nwosu.
UK teacher union NASUWT has presented its International Solidarity Award 2020 to Raymond Basilio, Secretary General of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers in the Philippines, and member of the Education International Executive Board.
UK: Teacher union gives international solidarity award to Filipino trade union leader
Today, 8 May, is the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. Victory Europe (VE) Day is an important anniversary, but also a moment to reflect on the decades that followed.
VE Day, a time for celebration and opportunity – 75 years later
Despite continuing their work online, teachers in private schools in Jordan are not being paid their full salaries. Most of the teachers affected are women. Education International urges the Jordanian government to guarantee the fundamental rights of teachers and education workers and update national legislation to prohibit gender discrimination at...
Jordan: Non-payment of teacher salaries in the private sector affecting mainly women
International Workers’ Memorial Day on occupational health and safety, observed the 28th of April every year. The international day was born in 1996 to mourn those who had died on the job and to fight for the living. It has spread to all continents of the world.
International Workers Memorial Day 2020 and COVID-19; mourn for the dead and fight for the living
Education International and UK’s NASUWT, the Teachers’ Union have condemned the re-arrest of Tehran education union leader Esmail Abdi.
Iran: Leading teacher unionist arrested again
Education International welcomes the awarding of the Arthur Svensson International Prize for Trade Union Rights 2020 to trade union leader and educator Barbara Figueroa Sandoval from Chile.
Chilean teacher and trade union leader receives international award
In Canada, an education union in Quebec is blaming the government for taking advantage of the COVID-19 crisis to impose a renewal of collective agreements for the entire public sector.
Canada: Education union calls for more time for public-sector collective-agreement negotiations
The Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2018 was released on the 23rd March. For the first time the OECD’s Education and Skills Director Andreas Schleicher presented the report remotely because of the Covid 19 crisis. The OECD had rightly taken the tough decision to release its report now before...
“Handling the COVID-19 crisis in education: What can TALIS 2018 tell us?”, by John Bangs.
Today, the OECD launches “Teachers and School Leaders as Valued Professionals” as the second volume of the TALIS 2018 Results. Being the largest international research programme focused on teachers and school leaders, TALIS is a prime example of how transnational education governance offers opportunities as well as challenges for educators...
“The need for strategy and teacher activism in transnational governance”, by Tore Bernt Sorensen.
Education International welcomes the release of jailed Iranian teacher unionist Esmail Abdi on 17 March.
Iran: Iranian teacher unionist Esmail Abdi released from jail
Today, teachers and education support personnel, union leaders the world over are coming together in myriad ways to find collective solutions to address the needs of their students, colleagues and communities despite enormous challenges and deteriorating situations.
“COVID-19: educators and unions stand united and mobilise”, by David Edwards.
Education International has been saddened to learn of the death of Roustan Job, an outstanding education trade unionist from Trinidad and Tobago. Job relentlessly fought for teachers’ improved working conditions, professionalism, and autonomy in his region and worldwide.
Union tributes on passing of top Caribbean education unionist Roustan Job
Examples of the work done by Education International and its member organisations in different parts of the world since the Beijing Platform for Action was adopted in 1995, demonstrate the power of taking collective action to find collective solutions.
Beijing +25: "Making the Promise of Beijing a Reality for Learners and for Education Sector Workers."