Ei-iE

Leading the profession

Teachers and education support personnel know what works in education. They must be recognised and empowered to deliver on the promise of quality education for all.

At the classroom level, academic freedom and professional autonomy are prerequisites for quality teaching and learning. As professionals, teachers must be afforded the space and trust to make the best possible decisions for their students.

Beyond the classroom, education policy must be informed by the vast experience and insights only education professionals can provide. We advocate for the involvement of teachers, education support personnel and their representative organisations in all decision-making in education and work towards the expansion of sectoral policy dialogue at all levels and in all countries.

Our work in this area

  1. Worlds of Education 2 April 2019

    "Education should not be a waiting room for life", by David Edwards.

    David Edwards

    “It is often argued that the purpose of early childhood education is to prepare children for school, so that schools, in turn, can prepare children for adulthood and for the work force. This approach reduces childhood to a waiting room.” -- Steffen Handal, President, Education Union of Norway (UEN).

    "Education should not be a waiting room for life", by David Edwards.
  2. Worlds of Education 25 March 2019

    “Finland leads the way”, by David Edwards.

    David Edwards

    Sometimes it appears that hope is draining from the world and that, for both young and old, pessimism is becoming the default position. The trouble with pessimism is that it is negative. It annuls the ability to act; to create something better which benefits future generations. I believe that education...

    “Finland leads the way”, by David Edwards.
  3. Worlds of Education 14 March 2019

    “Success comes only to those countries that invest in education”, by Olli Luukkainen and David Edwards.

    Olli Luukkainen, David Edwards

    Humanity is faced with many threats including climate change and threats to the environment. A vision is needed for these problems to be solved. Changing lifestyles and consumption habits can contribute to solving these problems but at the heart of helping humanity to survive is education, training and research.

    “Success comes only to those countries that invest in education”, by Olli Luukkainen and David Edwards.
  4. Worlds of Education 11 March 2019

    "Let´s work together – Looking forward to ISTP 2019 in Finland", by Anders Rusk

    Anders Rusk

    We received good news in the beginning of autumn 2018 when we were told that Finland was appointed host country for the International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2019. This was something we in the Opetusalan Ammattijärjestö, OAJ, had lobbied, for before, without success. We are proud to contribute to...

    "Let´s work together – Looking forward to ISTP 2019 in Finland", by Anders Rusk
  5. News 6 March 2019

    Teachers’ professional development and conditions - vital signs for student well-being and progress

    An Education international - commissioned study for the EI Research Institute on teacher professional identities, based on seven localities and five case studies, shows that teachers are concerned about the well-being and progress of students. They also consider professional development and learning central to that mission along with professional standing...

    Teachers’ professional development and conditions - vital signs for student well-being and progress
  6. Worlds of Education 28 February 2019

    "Students and Climate Change: A Lesson in Global Citizenship", by David Edwards

    David Edwards

    Student mobilisation on climate change is a strong call on democracy to deliver for the planet. It is a rejection of “climate deniers”, but also of “business as usual.” Its ultimate success will depend on expanding the mobilisation while graduating from protest to politics, including by linking lower carbon emissions...

    "Students and Climate Change: A Lesson in Global Citizenship", by David Edwards
  7. Research

    Constructing teachers’ professional identities

    Philippa Cordingley
    28 February 2019

    This study aims at examining how teachers’ professional identities are constructed in seven contrasting education systems. The jurisdictions - Berlin, Chile, Kenya, Ontario, Scotland, Singapore and Sweden - were selected to achieve an economic and geographical balance and a range of contexts in relation to educational performance and teacher supply...

    Constructing teachers’ professional identities
    1. Report
    2. Case studies
  8. Worlds of Education 19 February 2019

    “Evidence-based labour activities for gender equality and the rights to gender and reproductive health”, by Yoshiko Norimatsu.

    Yoshiko Norimatsu

    The Japan Teachers’ Union contributes to achieving gender-related rights through its programmes and policies focused on the rights of female educators. A recent JTU research, for example, has shown how terms of employment are interlinked with reproductive health and childcare challenges.

    “Evidence-based labour activities for gender equality and the rights to gender and reproductive health”, by Yoshiko Norimatsu.
  9. News 18 February 2019

    Another step on the path towards open access

    Education International has answered a call for consultation on open access of research, stressing that the public good is served by the widest and most accessible dissemination of scholarly work and educational material.

    Another step on the path towards open access
  10. News 25 January 2019

    Today’s Priority - The future of Finland’s education policy

    The annual Educa trade fair organised by Opetusalan Ammattijärjestö, a national education union affiliated to Education International, OAJ, will bring together thousands of Finnish teachers and education policymakers.

    Today’s Priority - The future of Finland’s education policy
  11. Worlds of Education 22 January 2019

    Work with a human face, by David Edwards

    David Edwards

    Life-long learning means different things to different people. However, some common principles for lifelong learning are essential for a global consensus on a human-centred agenda for the future of work.

    Work with a human face, by David Edwards
  12. Worlds of Education 19 December 2018

    SDG4 & education for sustainable development: Why we should celebrate an apparent failure? By Antonia Wulff

    Antonia Wulff

    The expert group in charge of the SDG indicators rejected the proposed measurement strategy for target 4.7 on education for sustainable development, human rights and global citizenship. A dramatic turn in the SDGs serial but is it really as disastrous as it seems? And what does this mean in practice?

    SDG4 & education for sustainable development: Why we should celebrate an apparent failure? By Antonia Wulff
  13. News 13 November 2018

    Elsevier: putting a price on knowledge

    In its most recent publication, Education International examines the publishing giant Elsevier, whose success on the market is based on ethically questionable practices which endanger the transmission of knowledge and its condition as a public good.

    Elsevier: putting a price on knowledge
  14. Worlds of Education 13 November 2018

    “Reclaiming Academic Freedom in Malaysia: The Dawn of A New Era?” by Dr Lai Suat Yan

    Dr Lai Suat Yan

    There was rapturous joy on 10 May 2018 when it was officially announced that the opposition party, namely, Pakatan Harapan (Alliance of Hope, PH) won. The rule of the former governing political party, Barisan Nasional (National Front), lasting for the last 60 years, had come to an end. It was...

    “Reclaiming Academic Freedom in Malaysia: The Dawn of A New Era?” by Dr Lai Suat Yan
  15. News 12 November 2018

    EI 11th Further and Higher Education and Research Conference: Advancing conditions for staff to improve quality education

    The first day of the 11th Education International’s Further and Higher Education and Research Conference has provided member organisations with a forum for exchanging information and strategies across regions for the advancement of quality terms and conditions of employment for teachers, academics and researchers, and addressed technical and vocational education...

    EI 11th Further and Higher Education and Research Conference: Advancing conditions for staff to improve quality education
  16. Worlds of Education 8 November 2018

    Power of Advocacy and Partnership, by Princess R. Moss

    Princess R. Moss

    As a teacher and education advocate here in the United States, I am in a position to see the inter-connections of all that is good and all that is troubling about our country. I see the hope, happiness, and diversity our children have. I also see the chaos and hate...

    Power of Advocacy and Partnership, by Princess R. Moss
  17. Worlds of Education 10 October 2018

    "What’s wrong with the World Bank’s Human Capital Index?", by David Edwards

    David Edwards

    The Human Capital Index is a measurement tool created by the World Bank to influence countries to invest more in health and education. With increased education financing a longstanding key demand of Education International and so crucial to achieve SDG4, one might wonder why I am sceptical about this index?...

    "What’s wrong with the World Bank’s Human Capital Index?", by David Edwards