Education International Africa

World Teachers' Day 2024: African Union acknowledges the need to empower educators and celebrates teacher voices

The African Union Headquarters came alive with passion and purpose as educators, policymakers, and advocates convened to celebrate World Teachers' Day. This year’s theme, "Valuing Teacher Voices," served as a rallying cry, emphasizing the indispensable role that teachers play in the educational landscape of the continent. Education Internation Africa’s representatives...

Education unions mobilise for rights and gender equality in education

On September 26, education trade unionists from around the world came together to discuss the state of the anti-rights movement in education and strategies to oppose it in defence of rights and gender equality. A new report from ODI Global informed the debate.

On World Teachers' Day, educators demand urgent action to address the global teacher shortage

Press Release

[Brussels, 3 October, 2024] – As school communities everywhere celebrate World Teachers’ Day, educators across the world are calling for immediate action to address the global teacher shortage which threatens the right to education for millions of children in every continent. Underpaid, overworked, and undervalued, teachers are being driven out...

Chad: A union congress vital for the future of education

During the 6th ordinary Congress of the Chad Teachers’ Union (Syndicat des enseignants du Tchad – SET), unionists reinvigorated their union, discussed strategies to ensure the teaching profession is valued, reviewed the union’s statutory provisions, nominated national advisers, and elected a new national executive committee.

Nigeria: Education union and government gear up to go public and fund education

In a significant move to strengthen Nigeria's education sector, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) launched the Education International (EI) “Go Public! Fund Education” campaign in their country. This initiative aims to secure increased funding for public education and its personnel, while addressing the chronic underfunding that has plagued the...

Senegal: Mobilizing for education funding

In Senegal more than 3 million children either do not go to state school or find it very difficult to go to school. Insufficient public funding for education is a major obstacle to quality education for all.

Education International’s 10th World Congress makes a strong call for peace

Education union leaders meeting in Buenos Aires for the 10th Education International World Congress have adopted several resolutions in solidarity with educators and students affected by war and armed conflict and that call for the protection of schools as safe sanctuaries. Unionists also highlighted the role of education in building...

Education unions redouble efforts to ensure quality climate education and a just transition for all

Educators around the world are standing up for the planet and for their students. The Teach for the Planet campaign was in the spotlight at Education International’s 10th World Congress taking place in Buenos Aires from 26 July to 2 August. Education unionists met to exchange best practices on climate...

The world’s educators demand urgent action to tackle the global teacher shortage

Teachers and Education Support Personnel around the world are overworked, underpaid, and undervalued. Deteriorating working conditions, low salaries, overwhelming workloads, and stifling bureaucracy are pushing teachers out of the profession they love and that the world needs.

This is our time: Education International General Secretary delivers progress report and rallying call to the 10th World Congress

On July 29, David Edwards, Education International General Secretary, took the stage in front of more than 1,200 education union leaders to reflect on the challenges and achievements of the global education union movement in the last five years. Despite a multitude of crises, from the Covid-19 pandemic to the...

Unions continue to advance gender equality and equity in and through education

Achieving gender equality and equity in education and in unions continues to be a top priority for Education International member organisations. A new survey of 123 education unions from around the world reveals a strong union commitment and significant progress made, as well as challenges and areas for improvement to...

Education unions promote and advance LGBTI+ rights globally

At a time when LGBTI+ lives are painted as a false "moral threat" to society, to distract from failed austerity policies and remove broader civil and human rights, the LGBTI+ Caucus discussed the current state of LGBTI+ rights in the world of work and in education systems globally. It also...

Advancing educators' health and well-being: a global effort

The well-being of education professionals is crucial for quality education, yet it faces significant challenges globally. Recognising the interdependence of education and health, key organisations are partnering with Education International (EI) to find solutions to advance the well-being of educators worldwide.

Growing union mobilisation for Indigenous People’s rights in and through education

New research from Education International shows a substantial increase in the number of education unions recognising and engaging with Indigenous People’s issues over the past 10 years. Significant challenges remain, preventing Indigenous students and educators from seeing their rights fulfilled in many parts of the world. The role of education...

Teachers at the center of United Nations education plan

NEW YORK – Only months after the groundbreaking recommendations of a United Nations panel on the teaching profession, UN Secretary Antonio Guterres put teachers at the center of what he called “a four-point plan to end the global education crisis.”

Global education leaders meet to accelerate progress towards quality education for all

With only 6 years until the 2030 deadline, Sustainable Development Goal 4 on quality education for all is off track. Millions of children continue to be out of school, deprived of their right to education, while education systems struggle with an alarming shortage of 44 million teachers. In this context,...

Togo: Raising awareness is the key to combating child labour

A pilot project carried out by the Fédération des Syndicats de l'Education Nationale (Federation of National Education Unions - FESEN) in the region of Sotouboua, in central Togo, is helping to change attitudes so that child labour is no longer considered acceptable. Agricultural and domestic work are the main activities...

Public education in Cape Verde: A union call for investment

In the archipelago nation of Cape Verde, a recent round of negotiations between the government and teachers’ unions has brought to light the critical need for increased funding in public education. Despite reaching consensus on some demands, the two parties remain at an impasse over salary updates, with the unions...