Ei-iE

Uruguay has demonstrated how a strong tradition of trade unionism and social dialogue serve as the foundation for sustaining and defending quality public education. During his visit to the South American country within the framework of his participation in the UNESCO Summit on Teachers, David Edwards, General Secretary of Education International (EI), expressed his admiration and respect for the fight led by the country’s teachers.

Edwards underlined the particular strengths of Uruguay’s education sector. He noted the profound social trust in public education and in teachers, stating that “if I compare Uruguay with many other countries, it seems to me that society itself has greater confidence in public education and teachers than in many other parts of the world.” He paid particular tribute to the nation’s strong trade union movement and public education.

A unique public education system

“Uruguay’s public education is unique. So too is its militancy and understanding of unity in the labour movement. We are working on a project to improve the situation, not only to improve teachers’ salaries and welfare, but also to improve democracy, the country,” said Edwards, emphasising the holistic approach taken by Uruguayan trade unions that goes far beyond pay issues.

A key focus of the visit was the substantial progress made in the San José case, in which Education International has been involved for over four years, supporting six teachers who had been sanctioned for sharing photos marking their opposition to the 2019 Living Without Fear campaign. Edwards once again congratulated his colleagues on having the decision overturned, acknowledging the current administration’s respect for international labour laws and human rights. He also recalled that Uruguay had been placed on an ILO shortlist alongside countries with serious human rights issues, making the positive outcome all the more significant.

An exceptionally proactive approach has also been adopted to tackle global education challenges, with EI affiliates in Uruguay translating the UN’s 59 recommendations on the teaching profession into a concrete action plan, demonstrating the scale of their commitment.

Go Public! Uruguay at the epicentre of change

Uruguay was “the first country where our global Go Public! Fund Education campaign really got underway. They took it seriously and took it to every corner of the country,” said Edwards.

The discussions also covered the proposal to establish a University of Education, which Edwards sees as a positive step, especially if backed by student grants, to elevate the teaching profession.

Despite these achievements, there are still challenges, particularly with regard to investment in education. Crucially, the ‘6+1’ campaign for public education funding continues to seek 6% of GDP, the minimum investment in public education widely recommended by international organisations.

“I am always learning from the people I speak to in Uruguayan trade unions. They have a level of critical capacity and democratic participation that is recognised worldwide,” Edwards stressed.

David Edwards’ visit highlighted Uruguay’s unique position on the global education scene, marked by a strong commitment to public education, an active and unified trade union movement, and a proactive approach to tackling challenges. As the world grapples with issues such as teacher shortages and underfunding, Uruguay stands out as a source of inspiration and a tangible example of progress.