Thousands of Portuguese teachers held a protest against the government’s new policies for public schools on 15 June in Lisbon. This demonstration is part of the industrial action plan proposed by all teacher unions against the government’s decision to cut spending in the education sector.
Quality education is key to reducing the numbers of children who cannot read and write and those out of school. It is also vital for every individual’s potential to become a global citizen. That’s according to UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova, who was speaking at a high-level discussion organised by UNESCO and the Permanent Mission of Denmark to the United Nations (UN).
EI Deputy General Secretary Haldis Holst, in a speech to the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, on 13 June, urged the ILO to guarantee decent work and social dialogue for teachers worldwide. She highlighted that this would contribute achieving quality education for all.
EI’s national affiliate, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), has called on members to go on strike as of 1 June, due to the non-payment of a negotiated pay increase. Teachers are due a 27.5 per cent salary increase (Teachers’ Peculiar Allowance) and a minimum wage of 18,000 Nigerian Naira (85 euros).
Education International is the voice of teachers and other education employees across the globe. A federation of about 400 associations and unions in more than 170 countries and territories, it represents 30 million educators in education institutions from early childhood to university.
