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EI and its affiliates have participated in workshops on early childhood education and child labour in western Africa at the World Social Forum which has been held in Dakar, Senegal.

EI is set to join other global union federations and civil society organisations to organise a global day of action in support of the Financial Transactions Tax (FTT) on 17 February, to coincide with the meeting of G20 finance ministers in Paris.

The Colombian teacher and trade unionist, Carlos Alberto Ayala, was shot dead on 5 February. The gunmen who murdered him had been laying in wait for him as he returned to his home in Puerto Asís.

EI General Secretary, Fred van Leeuwen, has paid a courtesy visit to the Secretary of Education of the United States of America, Arne Duncan, in Washington DC.

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) is encouraging everybody to wear a pink heart on 14 February, Valentine’s Day, as a symbol of love for quality education and public services.

Hosni Mubarak has decided to step down as the President of Egypt. In an announcement on state TV, Vice-President Omar Suleiman said Mr Mubarak has handed power to the military.

Responding to the Science Plan proposed by Luc Chatel, Minister for Education, French EI affiliates have emphasised the need for good initial teacher training.

Students and teachers across Tunisia have resumed their classes after weeks of protests that brought down the government of former President Ben Ali, but the debates continue about how to shape a new Tunisia.

EI’s French affiliates have called into question proposals from the Minister for Education, Luc Chatel, who’s ‘Science Plan’ threatens the emphasis on good initial teacher training.

Children who have been in pre-school education are likely to be much better readers when they are aged 15, reveals a study of international test results.

The Bureau of Francophone Teachers’ Union Committee (CSFEF) has expressed concern at the weak role played by the International Organisation of Francophonie (IOF) in Education for All alliances.

The Bureau of the newly created EI Region, the European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE), has convened in Brussels, Belgium.

Participants at the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF) Women's Symposium have debated issues facing families including violence; poverty reduction; marginalisation of children; diversity and healthy lifestyles at a three-day event.

As Egypt operates under immense uncertainty following two weeks of deadly anti-government protests, trade unionists around the world are joining a Day of Action for Democracy on 8 February.

EI has once again raised its concerns about the harassment and intimidation of Iranian teacher trade unionists by the national authorities.

EI has called for Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak to bring an immediate end to the violence being led by his regime against peaceful demonstrators who continue to demand fundamental rights and democratic change.

The National Union of Teachers has responded to a parliamentary Education Committee report into behaviour and discipline in schools by demanding that teachers have access to continuous professional development.

The Conservative government in Canada is to end funding for the international program of the Canadian Teachers' Federation (CTF) after a year-long process of arduous negotiations.