EI calls for action on deprofessionalisation of teaching
EI drew attention to the deprofessionalisation of the teaching profession at the meeting of the Committee of Experts on the Application of the Recommendation concerning Teachers (CEART), held in Geneva from 8-12 October.
CEART is an expert Committee charged with monitoring the implementation of the UNESCO and International Labour Organisation (ILO) recommendations on the status of teachers. The 1966 Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers provides a definition of teachers’ responsibilities and rights, as well as guidelines for dialogue between authorities and teachers’ unions. In 1997, this was completed by a UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Higher-Education Teaching Personnel.
Seven signs of deprofessionalisation During its presentation at CEART, EI Deputy General-Secretary David Edwards identified seven different signs of an on-going deprofessionalisation of the teaching profession. These range from the influx of unqualified teachers to the casualisation of teaching, as well as the rapid spread of standardised testing.
“These seven signs all point in the same direction, conveying one distorted message: Education is too valuable to leave to teachers,” Edwards pointed out.
He recommended that CEART, the ILO and UNESCO take concrete steps towards reversing the casualisation of the teaching profession. This should be done through the provision of adequate training and professional development, autonomy, as well as adequate working conditions and salaries.
“Hiring unqualified teachers is not a sustainable solution to the teacher shortage that we are currently facing,” Edwards added. “Quality education relies on quality teacher education and adequate in-service training programmes, but these require continuous investment of public authorities.”
Education in Crisis EI’s intervention was very well received and gave rise to questions and comments from the panel of experts, notably about early childhood education, teachers’ working conditions and salaries, and the impact of the economic crisis on education and the teaching profession.
Referring to the economic crisis and the attacks on public education across the globe, Edwards pointed out that a broad range of reforms and austerity measures have been implemented in response to the crisis, such as the freezing or reduction of teacher salaries: “We have also seen an expansion of the role of the private sector in providing education, and EI recommends that CEART, ILO and UNESCO monitors any policy or practice that might affect the equal access of all to public education.”
The role of CEART CEART is a committee of independent experts that meets every three years to analyse and report on the status of teachers worldwide. During its meeting, the CEART makes recommendations for member states, social partners, ILO and UNESCO. The CEART invites stakeholders in the field, such as EI, to present their views on the application of the two recommendations.
National and international teachers’ organisations can also submit allegations concerning the non-application of the provisions of the Recommendations to CEART. The Committee examines the allegations received and make suggestions for the resolution of the conflict.
