Ei-iE

Arab Countries

  1. Arab Countries
  2. Caribbean Union of Teachers
  3. Council of Pacific Education

The Arab Countries Cross-regional Structure brings together education unions from Arabic speaking countries in the Africa and Asia Pacific regions.

The cross-regional structure facilitates cooperation among members, helping education unions join forces and exchange best practices to address their common challenges.

To find out more about our work in Arab countries, please click here.

  1. Equity and inclusion 30 June 2025

    Not the exception, but essential: Teachers with disabilities in mainstream classrooms

    Nidhi Singal

    Where are the teachers with disabilities in our classrooms? A question I often ask my audience is: “How many of you were taught by a teacher who identified as having a disability during your school years?” In a room of 50–60 people, usually only one or two hands go up.

    Not the exception, but essential: Teachers with disabilities in mainstream classrooms
  2. Research

    Rising Voices: Women’s Leadership in Arab Education Unions

    Opportunities, Challenges, Obstacles & Solutions for Increasing Women’s Participation and Leadership

    24 June 2025

    Maha Rissouni, June 2025 Education International decided to conduct this study in six Arab countries in partnership with a significant number of Arab education unions: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, and Palestine.

    Rising Voices: Women’s Leadership in Arab Education Unions
    1. Executive Summary (English)
    2. Executive Summary (Arabic)
  3. Equity and inclusion 23 June 2025

    Arab education unions gear up to increase women's participation and leadership

    “Empowering women in education unions is not just a goal; it is a necessity. The data speaks clearly: we must invest in awareness, mentorship, leadership quotas, and zero-tolerance for discrimination.” That’s how Najat Ganay, Vice-President of the Education International (EI) Arab Countries Cross-Regional Structure (ACCRS) introduces the study: Participatory Research...

    Arab education unions gear up to increase women's participation and leadership
  4. Democracy 23 June 2025

    Financing a Public Future: A Collective Statement for UN Public Services Day - 23rd June 2025 on the eve of the 4th UN Financing for Development Conference

    Less than one fifth of the sustainable development goal targets set a decade ago are presently on track for achievement in 2030 and a major cause of this is the continued chronic underfunding of public services around the world. Three quarters of lower income countries spend more on debt servicing...

    Financing a Public Future: A Collective Statement for UN Public Services Day - 23rd June 2025 on the eve of the 4th UN Financing for Development Conference
  5. Leading the profession 10 June 2025

    Iraq: Educators’ historic strike leads to salary increases and progress for education

    In a landmark victory for educators across Iraq, the Iraqi Teachers’ Union (ITU) has successfully led a nationwide strike, resulting in significant policy changes that benefit teachers and the education sector. This mobilization, following the national launch of the Education International (EI) Go Public! Fund Education campaign in 2024, led...

    Iraq: Educators’ historic strike leads to salary increases and progress for education
  6. Democracy 6 June 2025

    Iran: “We believe that no government can silence the voice of teachers”

    In a powerful display of international solidarity, educators and union leaders from around the world gathered to support Iranian teachers facing persecution for defending their fundamental rights. A recent webinar highlighted the resilience and courage of these Iranian teacher union leaders and underscored the importance of global unity in the...

    Iran: “We believe that no government can silence the voice of teachers”
  7. Trade union rights are human rights 5 June 2025

    International Labour Conference: Workers’ Group supports call to strengthen Recommendations concerning Teaching Personnel

    Addressing the Committee on the Application of Standards at the International Labour Conference on June 3rd, EI President Mugwena Maluleke responded to the report of the joint ILO-UNESCO Committee of Experts on the Application of the Recommendations concerning Teaching Personnel (CEART). As the Workers’ Group spokesperson, Maluleke welcomed the proposal...

    International Labour Conference: Workers’ Group supports call to strengthen Recommendations concerning Teaching Personnel
  8. Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 26 May 2025

    "Freedom!": The cry of Iraqi students trapped in a failing education system

    As the school year ends, Iraqi students shout "Freedom!" not in celebration, but in relief. According to Kurdistan Teachers’ Union (KTU) President Abdulwahed Mohammad Haje, this cry reveals the deep-seated issues within the country's education system, where outdated facilities and lack of resources stifle the dreams and potential of young...

    "Freedom!": The cry of Iraqi students trapped in a failing education system
  9. Trade union rights are human rights 23 May 2025

    Morocco: Sustained strike action turns into a foundational event, driving trade union renewal

    During the major mobilisations staged over a period of three months by the teaching profession in Morocco, the SNE-CDT education union actively listened to workers’ demands, organised grassroots consultations, and built a shared trade union position. A national trade union renewal plan was also launched, setting out specific aims such...

    Morocco: Sustained strike action turns into a foundational event, driving trade union renewal
  10. Solidarity in emergencies 14 May 2025

    Education International denounces the mass destruction of life and widespread suffering caused by the ongoing war in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories

    The current Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip has led to an intolerable humanitarian catastrophe and UN experts warn that people in Gaza are at critical risk of famine, with 500,000 facing starvation. This blockade is preventing the entry of vital supplies of food, safe drinking water, medical aid and...

    Education International denounces the mass destruction of life and widespread suffering caused by the ongoing war in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories
  11. Standards and working conditions

    Just Wages for Public School Teachers in Lebanon

    Teacher Remuneration During Emergencies

    12 May 2025

    The under-resourcing of the public education sector in Lebanon negatively impacts teachers’ labour rights, working conditions, wages, professional development, and well-being. These issues stem from systemic problems tied to Lebanon’s political and economic context.

    Just Wages for Public School Teachers in Lebanon
    1. Summary (ARA)
    2. Summary (ENG)
  12. Standards and working conditions 6 May 2025

    Iraq: Teachers in Kurdistan demand fair application of new retirement law

    The Kurdistan Teachers’ Union (KTU) is demanding the fair implementation of a federal retirement law to ensure decent living conditions for retirees in their region of Iraq.

    Iraq: Teachers in Kurdistan demand fair application of new retirement law
  13. Standards and working conditions 5 May 2025

    Challenges in the Occupied Palestinian Territories

    Teacher Compensation in Crisis Contexts

    This study aims to investigate the primary factors contributing to irregular salary disbursements in Palestine during emergencies, identify potential interventions to address the issue, and evaluate the consequences of financial instability on the quality of education. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative and qualitative methodologies. For the quantitative component,...

    Challenges in the Occupied Palestinian Territories
  14. Standards and working conditions 25 April 2025

    Starting strong: Education unions mobilise for the right to early childhood education

    Despite its essential role, early childhood education (ECE) is undermined by chronic underfunding. Recognition of the importance of early childhood education, as well as the salaries, job satisfaction, working conditions, and status of ECE workers remain low. Meanwhile, private actors are working to take over the sector, filling the funding...

    Starting strong: Education unions mobilise for the right to early childhood education
  15. Climate action and literacy 17 April 2025

    Earth Day 2025

    Communications toolkit

    This Earth Day, join the global mobilisation for quality climate education for all, for climate justice, and a just transition to a green economy that guarantees human rights and inclusive participation.

    Earth Day 2025
  16. Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 16 April 2025

    Defending the profession and solidarity for educators in times of crisis, key for Education International members in Arab countries

    At the Seventh Biennial Education international (EI) Arab Cross-Country Regional Structure (ACCRS) Conference, top education unionists highlighted the need to develop partnerships, to show solidarity with Palestinian colleagues and people, support educator remuneration in crisis contexts, and expand the Go Public! Fund Education campaign for funding of public education systems.

    Defending the profession and solidarity for educators in times of crisis, key for Education International members in Arab countries
  17. Equity and inclusion 7 April 2025

    A treaty to protect teaching

    Miriam Socolovsky

    For many years Education International has been following the discussions being held within the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights of the World Intellectual Property Organization (SCCR/WIPO) regarding limitations and exceptions to copyright for libraries, archives and educational institutions. There are times when it seems progress is being made,...

    A treaty to protect teaching
  18. Standards and working conditions 28 March 2025

    Lebanon: Educators’ ongoing fight for fundamental rights

    The streets of Lebanon have once again echoed with the voices of teachers protesting against the unjust policies imposed by successive governments. These administrations have consistently abandoned educators, leaving them to survive on meagre salaries that have stripped them of their right to a decent life and basic dignity.

    Lebanon: Educators’ ongoing fight for fundamental rights