Teacher unions central to 21st century education
“Teacher unions are instrumental in improving the quality of education and empowering teachers and support personnel” was the message Education International made loud and clear to European leaders in education and government.
Education International (EI) Deputy General Secretary Haldis Holst strongly shared the views of EI in Strasbourg, France where she joined teacher union representatives from Denmark, Norway, and the UK. The conference, 'The Professional Image and Ethos of Teachers,' was hosted by the Council of Europe, the Pestalozzi programme, and the Education Commission of the NGO conference.
The conference, which welcomed over 200 practitioners and education stakeholders from about 40 European countries, reflected on the changes - occurring and required - to continue improving education systems. Representatives of teacher unions and EI affiliates – Dansk Magisterforening(DM), Denmark; Union of Education Norway; and the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT), United Kingdom - contributed to sessions reflecting on the challenges for teachers and education institutions to better support teachers in their classroom practices. These sessions also considered how education can better prepare youth to develop and play a role in more democratic and inclusive societies.
Reflection and inclusion
The conference also discussed a draft Manifesto for Teachers of the 21st century to inspire teachers and others concerned with education: children, parents, teachers, schools, (local) authorities, civil society, and society as a whole.
The conference provided a good opportunity to reflect on the teaching profession. However, in the absence of public or private education authorities, the next step is to include them in the comprehensive discussion. “Teachers cannot do this alone,” concluded Haldis Holst. “We need commitments from all stakeholders, including that of education authorities, to continue improve the quality of education and support teachers.”
Watch the full conference panel:
