Ei-iE

Union growth

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.

Our work in this area

  1. News 28 June 2007

    Mali: Teacher banned over essay assignment

    A secondary school teacher convicted of “offence against the head of state” has been sentenced to two months in prison and banned from his profession after assigning his students an essay about the indiscretions of a fictional president.

    Mali: Teacher banned over essay assignment
  2. News 26 June 2007

    Mali: EI joins the IFJ in calling for the release of imprisoned teacher and journalists

    Education International joins the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in calling for the immediate release of a secondary school teacher, a journalist and four editors jailed in Bamako for “offence against the head of state” after the publication of details of a school assignment.

    Mali: EI joins the IFJ in calling for the release of imprisoned teacher and journalists
  3. News 8 June 2007

    Ethiopia: Harassment continues - ETA members re-arrested

    Education International has written again to Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, following the re-arrest of Ethiopian Teachers' Association members Antene Getnet and Meqcha Mengistu along with another teacher from the south.

    Ethiopia: Harassment continues - ETA members re-arrested
  4. News 31 May 2007

    Zimbabwe: EI mourns death of tortured PTUZ founder

    EI joins the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) in mourning the death of founder member and national treasurer MacDonald Mangauzani on 27 May. Reports suggest that he succumbed to internal injuries sustained from brutal torture while in police custody last February.

    Zimbabwe: EI mourns death of tortured PTUZ founder
  5. News 11 May 2007

    Iran: Five Teachers detained on 8 May released

    Of the seven teachers arrested and taken to Evin prison during a protest on 8 May, five have been released after posting bail of $30,000 each.

    Iran: Five Teachers detained on 8 May released
  6. News 4 May 2007

    Cambodia: Unions Call for Justice for Murdered Unionists

    A joint statement was issued on 1 May by all Cambodian trade unions, including EI member organisation the Cambodia Independent Teachers' Association (CITA), calling for investigation into the murder of trade union leaders.

    Cambodia: Unions Call for Justice for Murdered Unionists
  7. News 18 April 2007

    ETA/Ethiopia Programme Coordinator Freed

    Earlier this year we reported on the detention of three elected officers of the Ethiopian Teachers Association (ETA), including Meqcha Mengistu, a member of the Committee for the implementation of the EFAIDS Programme. The three men were finally released on 22 March after three months of imprisonment and torture and...

    ETA/Ethiopia Programme Coordinator Freed
  8. News 12 April 2007

    Ethiopia: teacher leader finally released

    The Chairperson of EI member organisation, the Ethiopian Teachers' Association (ETA), has finally been released from police custody, after the court cleared him of the charges brought against him.

    Ethiopia: teacher leader finally released
  9. News 4 April 2007

    Greece: EI condemns use of violence against teachers and students

    EI sent a strong message to the Greek Minister of National Education and Religious Affairs on 4 April, condemning the use of violence by the police against teacher unionists and students during their demonstration on 8 March.

    Greece: EI condemns use of violence against teachers and students
  10. News 3 April 2007

    Urgent Action Appeal: Detained Ethiopian Teachers Finally Released!

    The three elected officers of the Ethiopian Teachers Association (ETA) detained since December 2006 have finally been released on 22 March. Tilahun Ayalew, Meqcha Mengistu and Antenech Getenet were detained and tortured by the police for over three months. They were freed from custody when they last appeared in court...

    Urgent Action Appeal: Detained Ethiopian Teachers Finally Released!
  11. News 30 March 2007

    Botswana: International trade union delegation defends Radibe's case

    Representatives from EI, the Southern African Teacher Organisation (SATO) and the Southern African Trade Union Co-ordinating Council (SATCC) are currently in Botswana to show solidarity with the President of the Botswana Teachers' Union (BTU), Japhta Radibe.

    Botswana: International trade union delegation defends Radibe's case
  12. News 23 March 2007

    Guatemala: Stop repression, start negotiation, demands EI

    EI has written to the President of Guatemala on 21 March supporting the demands of its member organisation, the Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Educación de Guatemala (STEG).

    Guatemala: Stop repression, start negotiation, demands EI
  13. News 23 March 2007

    ILO Committee backs New Approach to Key Outreach Activities

    In Geneva, the Committee on Sectoral and Technical Meetings (STM) of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Governing Body approved on 19 March a new approach to activities that takes ILO's agenda out into the workplace.

    ILO Committee backs New Approach to Key Outreach Activities
  14. News 13 March 2007

    Zimbabwe: EI condemns the beating of opposition leaders

    EI was shocked by the use of force at a church-led prayer rally in Harare last Sunday which resulted in one death and many casualties, including women and children.

    Zimbabwe: EI condemns the beating of opposition leaders