Ei-iE

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Fighting the commercialisation of education

Education is a human right and a public good that can be fully realised only through the provision of free, equitable, inclusive, quality public education. The growing commercialisation and privatisation in and of the sector is the greatest threat to the universal right to education.

Across the world, corporate interests are striving to transform all levels of education, from early childhood to higher education, into yet another market with winners and losers. As private-sector management models are applied to education institutions, employment conditions in the sector are being undermined. As low-fee, low-quality private schools expand rapidly, there is a risk that governments abrogate their responsibility to ensure the right to education for all. Unaccountable corporations have undue influence on education policies and institutions. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this trend which risks transforming education into a commodity, favouring profit over quality education.

As educators, we put students before profit. In 2015 we launched our Global Response to the Commercialisation and Privatisation of Education. Through this campaign, we work to expose and challenge the policies and practices of governments, intergovernmental organisations and international financial institutions which undermine public education and the rights and status of teachers and education support personnel. We also resist global corporate actors, especially education technology providers, who push the commercialisation and privatisation in and of education.

Our work in this area

  1. News 26 April 2024

    Belgium: Education unions join forces to end teacher shortage and austerity

    “Enseignant, pas en saignant” (Teaching, not bleeding). This was one of the slogans used by the 8,000 educators who came from all over Belgium to the capital Brussels to call on politicians to increase funding for public education and put an end to the teacher shortage. The protest took place...

    Belgium: Education unions join forces to end teacher shortage and austerity
  2. News 4 April 2024

    Education international Executive Board: Going public with the recommendations of the UN High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession and continued solidarity

    “Just as teachers support us all, it is time to support teachers. Let’s make sure they have the support, recognition, and resources they need to provide quality, relevant education and skills for all.”

    Education international Executive Board: Going public with the recommendations of the UN High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession and continued solidarity
  3. News 21 March 2024

    Exposed: Collusion and Cover-Up — A World Bank and Bridge International Academies Scandal

    After increasing public pressure, a critical internal report, and an ongoing investigation by congressional leaders in the United States, the World Bank Group has acknowledged it "did not follow protocol" and "children were hurt," by its involvement with Bridge International Academies.

    Exposed: Collusion and Cover-Up — A World Bank and Bridge International Academies Scandal
  4. News 20 March 2024

    France: Raise teachers’ salaries and invest more in public education, now!

    Education International (EI) President, Susan Hopgood, expressed the solidarity of the global education trade union movement with French colleagues at the National Congress of the Syndicat National des Enseignements de Second Degré (SNES-FSU). She also stressed that the demands of the SNES-FSU, including its call for the government to invest...

    France: Raise teachers’ salaries and invest more in public education, now!
  5. News 26 January 2024

    Educators ready to play an active role in transforming education in North America and the Caribbean

    “Our activities here together these next few days are varied, but our purpose is fundamental – to reflect and learn from each other and to plan ways to encourage our members to play an active role in transforming education across this vast and varied region.” This was the call by...

    Educators ready to play an active role in transforming education in North America and the Caribbean
  6. News 26 January 2024

    International Day of Education: Unionists celebrate the right to education by campaigning for quality public education for all

    On January 24, the International Day of Education, education unionists from around the world came together to reaffirm their commitment to the universal right to education and to mark the first year of the Education International global campaign Go Public! Fund Education. The campaign is an urgent call for governments...

    International Day of Education: Unionists celebrate the right to education by campaigning for quality public education for all
  7. Take action! 18 January 2024

    Join the global movement for public education!

    January 24th is the International Day of Education. Education is a human right, a public good, and a public responsibility. Free quality public education systems that are fully funded and led by a strong, valued, and respected teaching profession are the single most effective way to ensure the right to...

    Join the global movement for public education!
  8. News 21 December 2023

    Indonesia: Education unionists Go Public! to address teacher shortage

    The Persekutuan Guru Republic Indonesia (PGRI) and the Education International Asia Pacific (EIAP) regional office jointly organised an event in the framework of the EI’s Go Public! Fund Education campaign, addressing the pressing issue of teacher shortage in Indonesia.

    Indonesia: Education unionists Go Public! to address teacher shortage
  9. Worlds of Education 18 December 2023

    Education Voices: The current situation in Argentina and a renewed commitment to Go Public! Fund Education

    Roberto Baradel is a teacher and deputy general secretary of the Confederation of Education Workers of Argentina (CTERA). He is also a member of the Confederation of Argentinian Educators (CEA). A tireless advocate for public education and union rights, Baradel is a prominent figure in the fight for education justice...

    Education Voices: The current situation in Argentina and a renewed commitment to Go Public! Fund Education
  10. News 29 November 2023

    Senegal: Unions unite and mobilise for more public education funding

    “An education system based on public institutions is the best option to fully realise the right to education. That is why the State must consolidate education as being a real public good, promoting education as a bearer of not only individual and collective emancipation but of social justice as well.”...

    Senegal: Unions unite and mobilise for more public education funding
  11. News 22 November 2023

    South African President Ramaphosa: Investing in education builds resilience in times of crises

    “It is a real privilege to address this 10th Africa Regional Conference of Education International, particularly with its focus on shaping the future of education on our continent, as well as beyond. And the theme of your conference, 'Standing together for resilient education systems in times of crises', resonates very...

    South African President Ramaphosa: Investing in education builds resilience in times of crises
  12. News 17 November 2023

    Education International’s Executive Board meet and address the progress and challenges of educators worldwide

    “This has been one of the more pivotal periods in our history. Influenced and essentially guided by Education International (EI), the United Nations (UN) is in the process of urging its member states to act decisively to address the global education crisis. And to do this specifically by elevating and...

    Education International’s Executive Board meet and address the progress and challenges of educators worldwide
  13. Worlds of Education 2 November 2023

    Teachers need more innovation, not more innovations

    Andy Hargreaves

    We’re in a global fight for the future of the teaching profession. One place where the forces are tussling it out is around the importance of educational innovation. Many people leave teaching because they just don’t like how the job feels. Educators want more opportunity to innovate in their own...

    Teachers need more innovation, not more innovations
  14. Statements 25 October 2023

    Go Public! Advancing Further and Higher Education and Research for the Common Good

    EI's 12th International Further and Higher Education and Research Conference Statement | Mexico, October 2023

    On 24-26 October, Education International (EI) member organisations convened in Mexico City for EI’s 12th Further and Higher Education and Research Conference. Together, they adopted the following statement:

    Go Public! Advancing Further and Higher Education and Research for the Common Good
  15. News 24 October 2023

    Go Public! Leading further and higher education and research for the common good

    The 12th International Further and Higher Education and Research Conference, co-hosted by Education International and its member organisation Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (SNTE), is taking place in Mexico City from October 24 to the 26.

    Go Public! Leading further and higher education and research for the common good