Ei-iE

The economic crisis is being used to justify the complete deregulation and privatisation of public services in order to reduce costs. Widespread cuts in expenditure on public education are damaging both quality and equality of access to education, as well as undermining the status of teachers and teaching. Read more...

The continuing conflict in Syria is taking a heavy toll on education, as thousands of Syrian families take their children out of school and flee across the border to seek refuge.

The Committee of EI European region, the European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE), met with Ole Christensen and Alejandro Cercas, members of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats from the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs at the European Parliament, together with three more MEPs.

Following Mahdi Abu Dheeb’s appeal hearing on 2 April, EI has learned that a decision about the release of the Bahraini Teachers’ Association (BTA) President has been postponed to 2 May.

Spanish unions have joined forces to support the country's largest ever general strike on 29 March. EI members, FETE-UGT, F.E.CC.OO. and FE-STES, are united in declaring that teachers will not stand by as the Government jeopardises basic workers’ rights and social dialogue through its latest labour reform legislation.

In its evaluation of the recently completed EI Education for All/AIDS (EFAIDS) solidarity and development programme, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which funded the programme, praised highly the outstanding impact the of the programme during its six-year duration.

EI European region, the European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE), held its annual Equality Standing Committee on 26 March in Brussels, Belgium. Education unionists reaffirmed the importance of equality in unions, education and society, to improve opportunities for sustainable and socially fair economic recovery.

Every week, Education International receives anxious requests from Bahraini students, parents and academics alarmed about the on-going infringements of academic freedom and human rights directed at professors, students, and staff at higher education institutions in Bahrain.

On 22 March, Portugal woke up to a general strike, supported by EI’s affiliate, Federaçao Nacional dos Professores (FENPROF). The devastating cuts to essential public services, including education, have essentially become an attack on the Portuguese people. Unions and civil society demand new social policy and a change in direction...

EI’s national affiliates in the UK, the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the University and College Union (UCU), are calling a one-day strike in London on 28 March, as the next step in their pension campaign. Trade unionists are protesting against changes to the Teachers' Pension Scheme.

After two previous postponements, the Bahraini Supreme Court of Appeal has scheduled a new hearing of the case of Bahraini Teachers’ Association leaders Mahdi Abu Dheeb and Jalila Al Salman on 2 April. Both were arrested in April 2011 after a crackdown by authorities following pro-democracy demonstrations.

EI is deeply concerned after the recent coup attempt in Mali. The Syndicat national de l’Education et de la Culture (SNEC), its national affiliate, has told EI of the alarming level of violence currently raging through the north of the country, causing the closure of a large number of schools...

EI General Secretary, Fred van Leeuwen, said he was shocked after hearing that an unidentified gunman opened fire on the Ozar Hatorah school, a private Jewish college in Toulouse in south-west France.

“Far too many governments and political parties believe that their goal should be to run an education system in which powers are totally devolved to principals and there is a ferocious evaluation system for pupils, teachers and schools which keeps track on how the money is being spent,” said Susan...

EI European region, the European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE) organised, in cooperation with the European Trade Union Institute, a Seminar on Inclusive Vocational Education and Training (VET) during the Economic Crisis, held in Sesimbra, Portugal, from 8-10 March. This event aimed at providing education unions with information on...

South African education unions demand government measures to counter the trend of students leaving public schools to join private schools.

Public school teachers in Brazil have joined a national strike from 14-16 March. EI’s affiliate, Confederação Nacional dos Trabalhadores em Educação (CNTE), is coordinating the nationwide movement aiming at achieving two key demands.

EI General Secretary, Fred van Leeuwen, has sent a condolence letter to EI Belgian affiliates, sending EI’s deepest condolences to school communities directly affected, and particularly to families who have lost a child, sibling or partner, after a devastating bus crash. On 13 March, a bus carrying 52 people crashed...