Raising the quality of teachers’ employment conditions worldwide
Over 60 participants from more than 40 countries discussed a resolution on quality terms and conditions of employment, and underlined the need for Education International to open an intense debate on this issue following Congress.
A workshop entitled “On OUR terms: Quality terms of employment”, held on 23 July at the Education International’s 7th World Congress held from 21-26 July in Ottawa, Canada, was the opportunity for to start a global debate on teacher work conditions.
“What should we defend concerning terms and conditions of employment?” “What should we reclaim or win?” were some of the key questions asked to participants by Education International (EI) Coordinator Jefferson Berriel Pessi.
Cuqui Vera, from FECCOO, Spain began the session by explaining that teaching hours are different from working hours. She went on to say that contract teachers need to have the same working conditions of teachers employed by public authorities.
It is crucial to lead research, have strategies, and hold events on quality teachers’ employment conditions, she said.
Vera also insisted on the heavy legal responsibility and possible legal advises needed for teachers, the importance of the student/teacher ratio, teachers’ training entitlement and the right to teach in a safe place, both physically and psychologically.
“Quality employment is employment that benefits both parties,” stressed Jean Kamdem from FESER, Cameroon.
“In my country,” he deplored, “there is a lack of quality employment, even if the quality of education is increasing. We unions have to exchange our experiences and learn from our successes and failures, Kamdem insisted.”
Odile Cordelier of SNES/FSU, France underlined the importance of having highly qualified, trained teachers, and regretted the bad image teachers have in the French society.
“If we collectively reaffirm a number of principles and commitments, and we share them, we will be stronger as a profession, she said. We are fighting for the benefit of teachers is fighting for the benefit of the students,” Cordelier highlighted.
