Ei-iE

Education unions in Cape Verde have intensified their advocacy for inclusive quality public education and for the teaching profession through the Go Public! Fund Education campaign.

With financial support from Education International (EI), the union effort is spearheaded by Abraão Borges, the president of SIPROFIS, the largest teachers' union within the Federaçao Caboverdiana dos Professores (Cape Verdean Federation of Teachers-FECAP) affiliated to EI, and main representative of Zone 2 of EI’s Africa region.

Several activities focusing on promoting the value of public education and strengthening early childhood education have been carried out, including training sessions on the islands of Boa Vista, Maio, and Santiago. As part of the launch of the Go Public! Fund Education campaign, unions met with governmental and municipal authorities to argue for increased funding for public education. Negotiations are also ongoing to improve the working conditions and salaries of teachers and preschool educators.

Key campaign results

Among the main Go Public! campaign achievements in Cape Verde to date, Borges highlighted:

• The approval of the new Teachers’ Statute, which includes an average salary increase of around 16%;
• The implementation of promotions and level advancements, benefiting teachers with one to three promotions;
• The payment of eight months of salary arrears related to the salary increase implemented in January 2025; and
• The improved salary structure and payment for teachers across the country.

Regarding preschool educators, a new salary scale was approved in the framework of the Plan for Careers, Functions, and Remunerations adopted by Cape Verde’s National Assembly. However, as these professionals are overseen by the Municipal Councils, unions are conducting a continuous campaign targeting municipal presidents to ensure the full implementation of these improvements.

Salary adjustments for teachers are as follows (note: 1 euro = 110.265 Cape Verdean escudos):

• Without formal training: from 23,000 CVE to 55,000 CVE;
• With a bachelor’s degree: from 78,848 CVE to 91,000 CVE;
• With 5 years of service: from 91,000 CVE to 96,000 CVE;
• With 10 years of service: 101,000 CVE;
• With 15 years of service: 106,000 CVE.

For preschool educators without formal training, salary adjustments are from 15,000 CVE to 37,000 CVE; while for those with formal training, from 15,000 CVE to 73,000 CVE.

International support

The campaign is taking place across several islands of the country and will culminate on November 19th, 2025, with a training session on advocacy and mobilisation in defence of public education. This national meeting will bring together teachers and union representatives from all of Cape Verde’s islands to reaffirm their commitment to an inclusive public school system with valued teachers.

“FECAP/SIPROFIS will continue to carry out actions under the campaign for public education and increased education funding throughout the national territory, with the support of EI, the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries, and other national and international partners,” Borges stated.