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 is in solidarity with its member organisation in Jordan, who challenge the amendments made by parliament to the labour law and signed by the King that make the labour law weaker, when there is a compelling need to make it stronger.
Jordan: the national Labour Law should uphold trade union rights, not deny them
The first national mobilization since the start of Jair Bolsonaro’s presidency brought the country to a halt and sent a clear message of opposition to the government’s policies.
Brazil: Teachers bring country to a halt and demand end of cuts
Education Support Personnel (ESP) are a vital part of the education workforce. They help to do all the background tasks and hidden duties that ensure that teachers can teach and students can learn. Together with teachers and school leaders, ESP are responsible for creating and sustaining a school culture where...
“Education Support Personnel: Shining light on the invisible workforce”, by Philippa Butler.
Doug McAvoy, former General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers passed away on the morning of 12 May at the age of 80.
UK: Death of an outstanding public education union leader
Nearly 800 delegates from every corner of Mongolia participated in the VIIth Mongolian Teachers’ Congress, where the Prime Minister informed participants of the increase of the national budget allocated to the public education sector and teachers’ continuous professional development.
The VIIth Mongolian Teachers’ Congress reaffirms the importance to promote and invest in quality public education
Education unions affiliated with Education International in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been evaluating the use of study circles to improve the quality of education and promote trade unionism in schools.
DRC: Study circles, a tool to improve the quality of education and promote trade unionism
The events of 1968 in France, which shook the fifth Republic to its core, are sometimes mentioned in connection with the current yellow vest movement. A more relevant historical comparison is 1848 - the year of the "People’s Spring” revolutions.
"Industrial Revolutions, Rebellions and Civil Society: Lessons from History", by Robert Trevennel Harris.
Education International extends its support and solidarity to Argentinian workers in their call for a National Strike on Tuesday, 30th April.
Argentina: Education unions unite in national strike
Today it’s World Intellectual Property Day – a good day to remind us that it’s time to reform copyright law. We need action to change copyright systems that are hindering free expression and failing to promote diverse and prosperous societies for the benefit of all.
“Let’s spark a global discussion on copyright exceptions for education and research!”, by David Edwards
The European Trade Union Committee for Education has called on European education unionists and activists to take part in a large-scale demonstration, “A Fairer Europe for Workers”, on 26 April.
European Education trade unionists to join large rally for a fairer Europe for workers – 26 April
During their annual conferences, the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers and the National Education Union, both affiliated to Education International, have reasserted during their annual conferences their core values and determination to continue advocating education policies beneficial for educators and students.
UK: Solidarity, democracy and unity high on the agendas of education trade unions
Yamikani Mlangiza, Assistant Programs Coordinator for Teachers Union of Malawi (TUM), accepted to reflect back for Worlds of Education on her experience attending a one-week training at the ILO International Training Center in Turin last year, with support from Education International.
Sharing experience on the ILO-ITC course ‘Achieving education 2030 and eliminating child labour’
The former Secretary General of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) in the Philippines has been named as recipient of a top international prize for trade union rights.
Philippines: Top trade union rights award goes to education leader
Despite efforts to come to an agreement with public authorities, Poland’s teachers and other education workers are following the call by the education union Zwiazek Nauczycielstwa Polskiego to go on strike to demand higher salaries.
Poland: ZNP calls strike over education salaries after government turned a deaf ear to their demands
In a resolution adopted at its 52th meeting, the Education International Executive Board condemns the government profiling of its member organisation in the Philippines, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), and the death threats its leaders have received.
The Philippines: Stop governmental harassment of education trade unionists
Education International has sent out an urgent action appeal to its affiliates condemning the murder of Sergio Rojas Ortiz, an indigenous peoples’ rights activist.
Costa Rica: EI condemns murder of indigenous leader
The Saint Lucia Teachers’ Union (SLTU), together with other education unions, are exerting pressure on the government to negotiate in good faith and respond to educators’ legitimate demands.
Saint Lucia: teachers urge government to move forward on the collective agreement
Democracy is threatened from within in many countries where authoritarian, often populist and nationalist forces have gained ground. Institutions of democracy have been attacked. The Philippines is one such country.
“Time to shine a bright light on and act in the Philippines”, by David Edwards, Anthony Bellanger, and Ambet Yuson