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The Bahrain Teachers’ Association has made proposals regarding the reopening of schools and education institutions for the next academic year, 2020-2021, stressing seven measures to be taken.

The Gambia Teachers Union has been proactive in its advocacy and activities in response to the COVID-19 epidemic as it turns its focus to guaranteeing a safe return to schools and quality education for all.

Fred Jarvis, who led the National Union of Teachers (NUT) as its General Secretary from 1975 to 1989, has died at 95. His service to trade unionism and education, however, began long before his work at the NUT as leader and in other capacities and continued until his death.

The Argentinian government and CTERA, a member organisation of Education International, have signed an important collective agreement aimed at restructuring work in education during the lockdown and combating the work overload imposed by teleworking.

On the World Day Against Child Labour, Education International launches a report documenting best practices identified in its projects against child labour. With Covid-19 set to increase the number of child labourers, these lessons are essential to future efforts to ensure all children are in school, not in work.

The new conservative government of Uruguay, that took office last March, has submitted a bill for urgent consideration (Ley de Urgente Consideración, or LUC) to Parliament that set off alarm bells amongst Uruguayan society for being deeply antidemocratic in form and substance. The urgent bill shows how the country is...

Education International has launched a COVID-19 Solidarity Fund to strengthen education trade unions following the COVID-19 pandemic. The solidarity of many member organisations has already provided contributions, and requests to provide support for union activities have been received from other affiliated unions.

Addressing the Minneapolis Police Department, Minnesota’s elected officials, and the media, the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers and Education Support Personnel demand justice after the death of George Floyd, a black citizen, while he was arrested by police officers. They are calling members and concerned citizens for solidarity by adding their...

Many economists predict that the COVID-19 pandemic will produce the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Policies and the details of their implementation will not only determine if economic recovery is successful, but if that recovery accelerates or slows the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals...

The 10th edition of the International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) took place on 2 June 2020, in a webinar format. Co-hosted by Education International and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the ISTP brought together education ministers and education unions for a discussion on the impact...

The Centrale des syndicats du Québec (Quebec Labour Congress – CSQ) has urged the government of Quebec to engage in full social dialogue and respond to solutions put forward by trade unionists with a view to halting financial austerity measures, improving employees’ working conditions and thereby strengthening public services, particularly...

In New Zealand, education unionists have won historic pay equity increases for education support personnel. Over 22,000 school teacher aides have been offered a life-changing pay equity settlement including pay increases of up to 28 per cent.

Organised teachers in Cameroon have warned the government that a resumption of classes on 1 June carried out without sufficient preliminary planning would put the educational community in danger. They have especially insisted on reduced class sizes and the provision of masks and hand sanitizer.

Schools that had been closed since 20 March reopened on 1 June, but the status and safety of thousands of teachers are still in danger.

In Kenya, education unions have joined with civil society organisations in presenting public authorities with recommendations and steps to be taken to guarantee a safe reopening of schools and education institutions.

In Brazil, the Confederação Nacional dos Trabalhadores em Educação (CNTE) has issued a manifesto of measures to safeguard public health and workers’ lives.

In Malaysia, the Sarawak Teachers’ Union has been responding to issues such as remote teaching and learning, students’ mental health, exams and gender inequality, all arising out of school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Regional Committee of Education International Latin America (EILA) has prepared a declaration regarding the safe reopening of schools in the region.