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EI has condemned the decision of Bahrain’s Ministry of Social Development to dissolve the Bahrain Teachers’ Association (BTA) and to prosecute its leaders in a military court on spurious charges of ‘leaving work on purpose, encouraging others to do so, and taking part in illegal gatherings.’

EI has welcomed the inauguration of the National Federation of Teacher Unions (NFTU) in Taiwan. The historic milestone in Taiwanese trade unionism was celebrated in the presence of President Ma Ying-jeou, who was joined by the Chairwoman of the Executive Yuan Labour Committee, Wang Ruxuan, and Deputy Education Minister, Lin...

The inauguration of the new National Federation of Teacher Unions took place on 11 July. The milestone in the history of trade unionism was attended by President Ma Yingjeou, Chairwoman of the Labour Committee of Executive Yuan, Wang Ruxuan, and Deputy Education Minister, Lin Congming.

EI welcomes a new resolution adopted by the United Nations Security Council as a major step forward in preventing attacks and making schools safe for children and education personnel in armed conflict situations.

EI’s French affiliate, le Syndicat national des enseignements de second degré (SNES), has denounced its government’s failure to fill hundreds of teacher vacancies which have been subject to a new national exam.

In one week, hundreds of teacher unionists from all over the world will convene in Cape Town for Education International’s Women’s Caucus, a day before the start of the sixth EI World Congress. One of the main themes will be closing the implementation gap and making women’s rights reality.

EI is bringing together the most influential education union leaders and teachers at its sixth World Congress from 22-26 July in Cape Town, South Africa, to examine the challenges facing education from budget cuts; declining resources; de-professionalisation of teachers, and the rising cost of quality education for all.

Teachers protesting in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka, have been attacked by groups of armed thugs who are suspected of having close links with the government, according to the National Trade Union Centre (NTUC).

From 18-21 July, participants will join pre-EI Congress events to build action plans that protect and promote workers’ rights in education and employment, social justice and equality. Trade unions and schools can be vehicles for positive work to tackle inequalities, making human rights and education a reality for all women...

The independent teachers’ union in Egypt is fighting for the enactment of legislation to ensure trade union rights. EI’s member, the Independent Teachers Union of Egypt – which was founded July 2010 before the revolution – is part of the new Independent Trade Union Federation.

The July issue of EI’s flagship magazine, Worlds of Education, is packed full of articles that will be explored at EI’s sixth World Congress which takes place in Cape Town, South Africa, from 22-26 July .

About three quarters of EI’s member organisations have a committee dealing specifically with women’s rights and gender equality. Now one more organisation can count itself among these. The Status of Women’s Committee of the St. Lucia Teachers’ Union is charged with addressing gender equality among teachers, and with empowering its...

The Government of Botswana has amended its laws in order to make it illegal for teachers to go on strike. The move comes as the government decided to re-classify teachers as ‘essential services’ and therefore making it illegal for teachers to withdraw their labour.

Delegates at EI’s largest affiliate, the National Education Association (NEA), have debated and approved a number of policies that will help the union and its members fight back against attacks on public education.

The government of New South Wales in Australia is trying to take away the right of teachers to negotiate pay and conditions. The government has capped wage increases for public service employees at 2.5 per cent and has taken away their rights to bargain for improved pay and conditions.

The Global Labour University (GLU) is inviting trade unionists and labour activists to apply for a specialised Masters program on 'Labour and Globalization' at the University of the Witwatersrand, in South Africa.

Teachers who are members of the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) are demanding a 150 per cent pay rise and an end to the violence which is meted out to them by government supporters.

Police attacked the demonstrators with tear gas and water cannon. The students are demanding an increase in the proportion of GDP which is spent on education from four per cent to seven per cent. The demonstrators are also calling for the state to take back control of public schools from...