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More than 130 NGOs have pushed for a stronger role of civil society and for the recognition of teachers within the post-2015 process two days ahead of the World Education Forum that will agree on a new global education agenda.

The Education International(EI) delegation to the World Education Forum (WEF) in Incheon, South Korea, has raised its voice in favour of quality public education for all during the pre-WEF NGO forum that has brought together more than 130 organisations from civil society. The aim of the forum, held on 18 and 19 May, was to define a common civil society vision on the post-2015 education agenda and framework for action, as well as to strengthen the participation of these organisations throughout the process.

Ms Rasheda K. Choudhury, executive director of the Campaign for Popular Education, Bangladesh, who chaired the opening session, reminded the attendants of the difficulties confronted by civil society organisations in previous forums, welcoming the change of attitude of governments and institutions in that regard.

Policy: from words to action

Dennis Sinyolo, senior coordinator of EI, participated in one of the panels with a comprehensive presentation on the post-2015 process, asking the participants at the forum to speak up in favour of civil society’s vision for education, which must be “robust and ambitious”. EI President Susan Hopgood intervened with a strong statement asking for the new framework for action to include free pre-primary, primary and secondary education, quality teaching by highly trained teachers, and a bolder and stronger financing of education, with a minimum of 6% of  GDP allocated to education.

The NGO forum  agreed on the fact that the future challenges faced by education have to be tackled with political will, going from promises to action: ultimately, it is the States and Governments who are the guarantors of the right to education.

The floor also agreed on the importance of policies that effectively value teachers through training, remuneration, participation in decision-making and academic freedom.

NGO forum declaration

With the title Towards the right to inclusive quality public education and lifelong learning beyond 2015 the declaration of the NGO forum leaves no room for misunderstandings. It includes a bold statement in support of teachers, stating that they should be valued and have decent remuneration. “Teacher organisations need to be respected and recognised as independent and legitimate actors, (…) centrally involved in all social dialogue concerning education policies, salaries and conditions of service and this should be guaranteed through legislation”.