All teachers and education support personnel have the right to organise and be part of a union that represents and defends their values and interests. However, around the world, education unions are facing serious attacks and operate in increasingly challenging and hostile environments. Revitalising unions, building their power by boosting membership and active participation and maximising impact is the way forward.
The 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights is an occasion to be inspired by its principles and its origin. It is an opportunity for trade unionists and educators to reflect on its values and the aspirations it represents and to stand up, speak out and act. It...
#UDHR70 - "On Dignity: Reflections on the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights", by David Edwards
Confronted with the worsening situation of Iranian educator activists, Education International continues its fight to see jailed education union leaders and members freed, and reiterates its call on its affiliates and concerned citizens around the globe to continue to exert pressure on the Iranian Government to demand the immediate release...
Iran: Teachers imprisoned for participating in peaceful strike actions
Cheerful pupils, playing in the playground, taking turns on a swing, in the shelter of pre-fabricated buildings currently used by several classes until new buildings under construction are operational. At the school in Bempt, in the Brussels Region commune of Forest, the enthusiasm for a school focussed on the inclusion...
Increasing funding for inclusive education: a benefit for all, of value to all!, by Claude Carroué
Education International has strongly condemned the illegal arrest and detention of the members of a solidarity mission with Lumad schools in the municipality of Talaingod, in Davao del Norte.
Philippines: Illegal detention of human rights defenders
Education International has teamed up with UNESCO to discuss how to make the right to education a reality for millions of migrant and refugee children.
Experts and policy makers join forces to remove obstacles to education for refugees and migrants
Education International’s General Secretary David Edwards has asserted his firm conviction that “the future of democracy is Europe,” and that “the future of solidarity is Europe.”
Education International calls on European education unions to keep democracy and solidarity alive
The capacity-building workshop on “Teachers’ unions for inclusion: embracing diversity and promoting safe schools” has provided a forum for Education International’s Nepalese affiliates to discuss and develop tools to influence national policies on inclusive education and safe schools for all; students and teachers.
Nepal: education unions move forward on inclusion, diversity and safety in schools
During discussions at Education International’s 11th International Further and Higher Education and Research Conference, participants from all corners of the world voiced great concern about political developments across the different regions that undermine academic freedom.
EI’s 11th IFHERC highlights the importance of promoting and protecting academic freedom in an increasingly hostile environment
For the first time in seven years, the main French education trade unions have put out a united call for a strike on 12 November to voice their deep dissatisfaction with the government’s plans to cut 2,650 teaching positions and 400 education support personnel positions in secondary schools by September...
France: united trade union action protesting cuts in education
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
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
Educators from Education International’s Filipino affiliates have crafted action plans aiming to embrace diversity and promote safe schools for all, including lesbian, gay, transgender and intersex teachers and learners, as a follow-up to the 2017 Resolution on Advancing LGBTI Rights of Education International’s Asia-Pacific region.
Philippines: teacher unions commit to take action for inclusion and safe schools for all
Education International fully supports its Brazilian affiliate, the Confederação Nacional dos Trabalhadores em Educação, in its denunciation of a newly elected parliamentarian’s attempt to shackle teachers’ freedom of speech.
Education trade union community strongly condemns the persecution of educators in Brazil
I am heartbroken and concerned. I am heartbroken because last saturday, as members of the Tree of Life congregation in Pittsburgh celebrated the Sabbath, an armed man entered the Temple and shot on those there as he made anti-semitic statements, murdering eleven people who had come keep the holy day,...
“It is time to stop hate and bigotry and teachers should lead”, by Fernando M. Reimers
The teachers’ union FECODE has reported the murder to various government bodies and demands that action be taken to investigate the case and prosecute those responsible.
Colombia: unions demand Government action following the murder of an indigenous teacher
The five most representative education unions in the Democratic Republic of Congo have put out a joint appeal for strike action to take place between November 5 and November 12, with clear support from educators, to express the high level of dissatisfaction of the county’s teachers.
DRC: United trade union front calls strike in education
Education International’s Executive Board has named Jalila al Salman, a lifelong teacher and trade unionist who has dedicated her life to education, and to representing teachers in Bahrain, as the recipient of the Mary Hatwood Futrell Human and Trade Union Rights Prize for her outstanding engagement and courage in promoting...
Bahraini education unionist Jalila al Salman given EI’s Mary Hatwood Futrell Award
A student gunman killed fifteen fellow students and five teachers and wounded dozens of people during his attack at Kerch technical college in Crimea.
Crimea: Education International saddened by brutal bomb and gun attack