Ei-iE

Union growth

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.

Our work in this area

  1. News 31 August 2021

    Cameroon: Education organisations’ joint project for democracy and union renewal

    Education International and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES, German acronym) are working together in Cameroon on a capacity building project, “Union renewal: building strong, inclusive, democratic and effective unions in the education sector in Cameroon”. The project involving all of Education International’s national member organisations will run from 2021 until...

    Cameroon: Education organisations’ joint project for democracy and union renewal
  2. News 27 August 2021

    Mauritania: unions working more closely with teachers to meet their needs

    Through the use of Education International’s COVID-19 solidarity fund, its two affiliates in Mauritania have been able to conduct a series of joint school visits to meet with teachers. The initiative has helped boost the unions’ image and membership levels.

    Mauritania: unions working more closely with teachers to meet their needs
  3. News 2 August 2021

    Rwanda: SYPERWA stands by teachers during the crisis

    Rwandan education workers’ union SYPERWA organised a tour to meet teachers from private schools and help them solve the problems encountered. Thanks to Education International’s COVID-19 solidarity fund, the union has been able to map the issues for teachers affected by COVID-19, provide legal assistance to teachers suspended as a...

    Rwanda: SYPERWA stands by teachers during the crisis
  4. News 15 July 2021

    Gabon: SENA supports teachers during COVID-19 crisis

    In light of the gaps in the information provided by the authorities on the dangers of COVID-19, Gabon’s education union SENA has launched a nationwide campaign to inform education workers and encourage them to organise.

    Gabon: SENA supports teachers during COVID-19 crisis
  5. Worlds of Education 1 July 2021

    An online union academy made in the Democratic Republic of Congo

    Jacques Taty Mwakupemba, Augustin Tumba Nzuji

    The Online Union Academy [Académie Syndicale en Ligne, ASL] project set up by the Congo National Federation of Teachers and Social Educators (FENECO/UNTC) is part of the capacity-building activities of unions working in the education sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Primary, Secondary and Technical Education; Higher and University...

    An online union academy made in the Democratic Republic of Congo
  6. News 3 June 2021

    Trade union renewal in Asia-Pacific to advance educators’ conditions and representation

    Education International’s Asia-Pacific office has launched new research “Union Renewal in the Education Sector: Prospects for the Asia-Pacific report”. This has provided an opportunity to reflect on the need for education unions to overcome challenges, embrace renewal, and seize opportunities offered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Trade union renewal in Asia-Pacific to advance educators’ conditions and representation
  7. News 7 April 2021

    USA: Education unions join forces to build back better education system

    With a new administration vowing to “build back better” from the public health, education, and economic crises of the Trump era, the two largest US educators’ unions, both Education International affiliates, have a shared agenda to ensure students and school communities receive the support they need for recovery and renewal.

    USA: Education unions join forces to build back better education system
  8. News 6 April 2021

    Europe: Study on industrial relations and privatisation

    A study for the ETUCE, EI’s European region, showed the impact of market ideology and management practices and privatisation on industrial relations and social dialogue. In addition to looking at the evolution of EU policy in the past decade, researchers studied different methods and results of industrial relations in Francophone...

    Europe: Study on industrial relations and privatisation
  9. Worlds of Education 30 March 2021

    "Today, solidarity with women is a fight for democracy”, by Sławomir Broniarz.

    Slawomir Broniarz

    Currently, women and LGBTI people in Poland face a very difficult situation. However, it would be wrong and short-sighted to see attacks on women or LGBTI people as the problem of a single country or of one radically conservative government that seeks to establish an authoritarian regime. Poland is not...

    "Today, solidarity with women is a fight for democracy”, by Sławomir Broniarz.
  10. News 26 March 2021

    COVID-19 impact continues to affect terms and conditions in education

    Deepening inequalities across the education sector were revealed at a recent Education International webinar. Affiliates shared experiences of working to improve the terms and working conditions of teachers, academics, and education support personnel. The webinar aimed to inform Education International’s work in this area during the current public health crisis.

    COVID-19 impact continues to affect terms and conditions in education
  11. News 26 March 2021

    Mauritania: Educators’ strike for pay increase and better living conditions

    On 22 March, teachers engaged in a three-day general strike to demand a pay increase and better living conditions. This strike was punctuated with massive protests near the Education Ministry headquarters in the capital city, Nouakchott, and in the various provinces.

    Mauritania: Educators’ strike for pay increase and better living conditions
  12. News 24 March 2021

    Morocco: Strikes and demonstrations demand better conditions for contract teachers

    Despite harassment and violence by police forces, Moroccan teachers' unions continue to demonstrate in the capital city, Rabat, to demand permanent contracts and better working conditions. They are also protesting against the rising cost of living.

    Morocco: Strikes and demonstrations demand better conditions for contract teachers
  13. Worlds of Education 7 March 2021

    “Take the Long View: Scaling the Staircase of Women’s Equality”, by Dianne Woloschuk.

    Dianne Woloschuk

    What a difference a year makes! If someone had told me on March 8th, 2020, that news cycles and my personal life would focus for a year on wearing masks, hand hygiene, physical distancing, and vaccines, I would have been hard pressed to believe it. Without question, the Covid-19 pandemic...

    “Take the Long View: Scaling the Staircase of Women’s Equality”, by Dianne Woloschuk.
  14. News 5 March 2021

    Nigeria: students and schools must be protected from attacks

    Attacks from armed groups against schools and students have been increasing in the last months in Nigeria, where kidnapping for ransom is a widespread criminal enterprise. Nigerian authorities must act swiftly to protect the right to education of children, especially girls.

    Nigeria: students and schools must be protected from attacks
  15. News 5 March 2021

    Africa: Governments must act urgently to protect educators and build stronger education systems

    During its virtual meeting from 23-25 February, the Education International Africa Regional Committee (EIARC) urged regional governments to act swiftly to ensure decent living and working conditions for educators. Proactive measures were needed to guarantee quality education on the continent in the face of challenges including the pandemic, terrorism, and...

    Africa: Governments must act urgently to protect educators and build stronger education systems