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.
As the contributions and significance of teachers are recognised, this year’s focus has turned toward the diminishing freedoms facing the profession and the empowerment needed to allow teachers to work effectively in a challenging world.
World Teachers’ Day brings professional freedom and empowerment into focus
Through its launch of a new resource aimed at immigrants, the Canadian Teachers’ federation is working to facilitate the integration of newcomers and their families in French-language schools.
Canadian Teachers’ Federation vows to support immigrant families in Francophone minority settings
With only modest advances made in the year since countries pledged education-related support to refugees at the 2016 UN General Assembly’s Leaders’ Summit, renewed calls for immediate action are being made.
Quality refugee education lagging a year after global commitments
Victims of injustice and natural catastrophes have been remembered today September 26, weeks after hurricanes and earthquakes added many to the numbers of deceased, and three years after the forced disappearance of 43 students in Ayotzinapa.
Mexico: Educators worldwide mourn victims, past and present
The Swaziland National Association of Teachers has condemned the government’s decision to introduce school fees, a move that flies in the face of the country’s constitution which states that primary education is a right.
Swaziland: Unconstitutional move to end free primary school education
Following on the latest report by the National Audit Office, UK education unions have urged the government to step up its efforts to ensure the recruitment and retention in the profession of properly trained teachers.
UK: recruitment and retention top the list of demands to be put at the heart of governmental policy
Education International welcomes the election of education unionist Sally Hunt to the helm of the Trades Union Congress.
Sally Hunt elected new President of the TUC
Education International’s General Secretary has reaffirmed the need for education unions, in Africa and the world over, to continue efforts towards the achievement of the refugees’ right to access quality education.
African teacher unions plan strategies to ensure refugees’ education
While Niger’s education unions are not opposed to teacher evaluation, they are criticising the Minister’s failure to listen to their advice concerning the form the tests should take and the consequences facing teachers’ careers.
Niger: unions challenge the government’s teacher evaluation
Education International has joined Argentinian education trade unionists to call on their national public authorities to find Santiago Maldonado, who disappeared while participating in a march.
Education International joins Argentinian campaign to find Santiago Maldonado
The first representative elections in Senegal's education sector, in which one out of ten trade unions was declared representative, have created a unique trade union landscape and fostered new alliances.
Senegal: the latest workplace elections shuffle the deck of teacher trade unionism
The creation of a new education has become a reality in the UK following the amalgamation of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers and the National Union of Teachers, creating the National Education Union.
UK: education unions merge to form new organisation
Teacher unions globally continue to show solidarity and answer the Education International’s call to action, condemning ongoing attacks against Lumad schools, teachers, students and their communities in the Philippines.
Philippines: worldwide support grows for Lumad teachers and students fighting for their right to education
Together with the International Transport Workers' Federation, Education International has launched a LabourStart global solidarity campaign to seek the immediate and unconditional release of jailed trade unionists Reza Shahabi and Esmail Abdi.
Iran: Support needed to free unjustly imprisoned trade unionists
Teacher unions globally have condemned continuing attacks against Lumad schools, teachers, students and communities in the Philippines, a show of solidarity which comes after a call to action from Education International.
Filipino colleagues and students receive a wave of education union solidarity
Reacting to racial violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States’ education unions have strongly vowed to stand up for diversity and to promote tolerance and justice for all.
USA: Education unions reaffirm role of education in addressing racial violence
A global campaign marking three years since the forced disappearance of 43 teacher students in Mexico is again calling for an investigation, reparation and justice.
Mexico: global campaign demands justice for 43 missing Mexican students
Recently the European Bangladesh Forum invited me to participate in a debate on violent extremism. At stake was the question: How to prevent violent extremism?
Do not turn teachers into spies!