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.
The labour rights of teachers and quality terms of employment for better education systems have been at the core of EI deputy general secretary Haldis Holst's address to the International Labour Conference.
EI defends education workers' rights at International Labour Conference
Teachers and education professionals attending the 106th session of the International Labour Conference are going to defend their labour rights in the presence of Governments and employers’ organisations.
ILO: Educators highlight labour concerns in sector
The challenges that face teachers often look very similar around the world. Global league tables are often behind the relentless pressure to drive test scores up, whilst the forces of global economic competition explain a race to the bottom on teachers’ working conditions. Teachers experience ever rising workloads, but perhaps...
Teacher union renewal: developing the power of the profession
Over the last 50 years, attitudes toward disability have changed. Whether viewing disability as a medical condition, through the prism of human rights or forms of exclusion, the understanding of disability has dramatically evolved. One could argue that we now know more than ever about disability.
Re-thinking Disability
Just days after an attack on the head office of Colombian teachers union FECODE, the international community has already been quick to express its solidarity and support of Colombian teachers and the peace process.
Colombia: Solidarity in the wake of attacks against teachers union
A new Education International study reveals the immense challenge facing Italian authorities and education personnel to help the thousands of unaccompanied minors safely integrate into society after reaching European shores.
Italy: increasing numbers of refugee children choose a perilous journey in search of a better future
Education International (EI) reiterates its global solidarity call to request the immediate and unconditional release of Esmail Abdi, a leader of the Tehran Teacher Trade Association, who was sentenced to six years in jail on false charges by Branch 36 of the Appeals Court of Tehran last October.
IRAN: Teacher Union Leader Esmail Abdi on Hunger Strike
This study reports on the experience of several teacher unions as they respond to the challenges facing teachers in a range of national contexts: Chile, Kenya, New Zealand, Poland, Scotland, Turkey, and the United States of America.
The Gymnasieskolernes Laererforening strongly condemns and is mobilising against the financial cuts imposed on the public education sector.
Denmark: Union campaign against continuing cuts in education
Education International reiterates its call for global solidarity and urges Iranian public authorities to immediately release imprisoned education union leader Esmail Abdi, whose hunger strike is taking a toll on his health.
Iran: urgent action needed to help free education unionist
Education International welcomes the move by Denmark to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration, a commitment to protect students, teachers, schools, and universities during times of war.
Denmark: 64th country to endorse Safe Schools Declaration
The newly elected leadership of the Committee of Education International's Arab Countries Cross-Regional Structure has vowed to protect human and trade union rights and promote quality public education for all in the region.
Arab countries’ teacher union leaders commit to defend human rights and quality public education
The Regional Dialogue Forum on Human Resources Issues in the Education Sector provided African teacher union leaders and education stakeholders with the opportunity to stress the importance of teacher trade union unity and social dialogue on education.
African education union leaders reaffirm commitment to improve unity
Education International has warmly welcomed the release of 82 schoolgirls from a group of 276 abducted three years ago by Islamist militants of the Boko Haram group in north-eastern Nigeria.
Nigeria: Relief about release of 82 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram
In a search for solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing people around the world, the second day of the Unite Conference in Rotterdam looked to build bridges from schools to politicians to policies.
From the classroom to the world and back: educators take on a global perspective
A few years ago, calling for a more robust worldwide embrace of human rights education by invoking the Holocaust, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid bin Ra'ad said in a speech given at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum: “Eight of the 15 people who planned the Holocaust in 1942...
Building human rights education through global teacher networks
As the occasion to celebrate and reaffirm the value and values of trade unions, from which their principles continue to inspire, today must also serve as a lens to carefully examine our societies and institutions.
This May Day, why not try solidarity?
Education unions across the world are joining the March for Science today, celebrating scientific research, academic freedom, and freedom of thought.
Educators globally celebrate science as a pillar of human freedom and prosperity