As ministers and education leaders prepare to convene for the World Summit on Teachers (WST) on 28-29 August, the global teaching profession faces an unprecedented recruitment and retention crisis. The world needs 50 million more teachers by 2030 across early childhood, primary and secondary education, yet qualified educators are fleeing classrooms due to systematic government failures.
The WST, convened by UNESCO and hosted by the Government of Chile, brings together ministers, UN agencies, teacher unions, civil society organisations and education experts to address the shortage and advance implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 4 - inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
Building on this commitment to transformation, Education International arrives in Santiago with a clear framework for addressing the global teacher shortage that centers on concrete solutions and immediate action.
Teacher voices from across all continents will bring firsthand accounts of public education systems under pressure. Their unified message: structural transformation is essential, not cosmetic fixes.
Post about the Summit
Here are sample messages that you can share on your social media:
📢I am joining colleagues at the UNESCO World Summit on Teachers to call on governments to address the global teacher shortage of 50 million and commit to fully funding public education.
👩🏼🏫👩🏽🏫👩🏿🏫The World Summit on Teachers is an unprecedented opportunity to move from words to action!!! Governments MUST commit to fully funding public education and investing in teachers.
Caribbean Union of Teachers: Ninety years of unity, advocacy, and empowerment
The Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT) celebrated its 90th anniversary and strategised the way forward at its 42nd Biennial Conference. The Conference adopted a new two-year programme, elected a new Executive Committee, and gave unions the opportunity to discuss and plan the future of the Go Public! Fund Education campaign...
Indonesia: Teachers express solidarity with protesting students, reject all forms of violence and anarchism
Education International member organisation the Indonesian Teachers’ Association (PGRI) has issued a statement
on the recent violent protests that have swept the country, recognising the legitimate demands of protestors but stressing that these demands must be expressed in a constructive and peaceful manner.
Cape Verde: Historic salary increase brings stability and dignity to the teaching profession
In a landmark victory for educators, Cape Verdean teacher unions have achieved a significant salary increase, marking recognition and valorization for the teaching profession.
Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4
29 August 2025
Historic Santiago Consensus puts teachers at heart of education transformation
World Summit on Teachers delivers comprehensive framework demanding sustainable investment in teaching profession
Ministers, teacher unions and education leaders meeting at the World Summit on Teachers in Chile have adopted the Santiago Consensus
, a comprehensive framework that commits governments to address the global shortage of 50 million teachers through concrete policy action.
Education leaders call for urgent action to address global crisis in the teaching profession
World Summit on Teachers presents roadmap to address 50 global million teacher shortage and fully fund public education
SANTIAGO, CHILE – As ministers and education leaders prepare to convene for the World Summit on Teachers (WST) on 28-29 August 2025, the global teaching profession faces an unprecedented recruitment and retention crisis. The world needs 50 million more teachers by 2030 across early childhood, primary and secondary education, yet...
Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4
19 August 2025
Go Public: trade unions build mutual strength by sharing their campaign experiences
Mobilising the teaching profession, and communities as a whole. For two and a half years, education unions around the world have been engaged in the global Go Public! Fund Education
campaign launched by Education International (EI). A number of them have shared best practices and examples of successful trade union...
