UK: Unions march for alternative economic choices and growth

EI’s British member organisations are backing their national Trades Union Congress (TUC) call for action and will join a March for the Alternative on 26 March.

The National Union of Teachers, the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers, and the University and College Union, will join other public and private sector unions in a national day of action.

They have supported calls from the TUC General Secretary, Brendan Barber, who said “the brutal austerity measures being implemented in Britain, on the back of a series of myths, half-truths and distortions have poisoned our public debate.”

Like Barber, EI’s affiliates in the UK believe that “the government's answer – to slash public spending with reckless speed – is based not on a sound reading of the evidence, but on an ideological zeal to shrink the size of the state,” and that “the so-called reforms in the National Health Service and education threaten the fundamental character of our public realm.”

Teacher unionists consider the Conservative Government’s decision to “spend more on servicing debt interest than on educating our children is just plain wrong” and wish to break down “the myths used by the government to justify its deep, rapid and unfair cuts and set out the case for an alternative based on jobs, investment and growth.”

According to the TUC, four myths exist: that the deficit was caused by out-of-control public spending; without drastic cuts, Britain would become the next Greece; Britain is like a household that has ‘maxed out’ on its credit card, and though it is a great sound bite, and one that the public can easily understand, that there is no alternative.

Barber noted that there is a “need to make jobs and growth the priority, keeping people in work, keeping tax revenues flowing, limiting the huge social costs of unemployment. And rather than swingeing cuts, we need a much more prominent role for progressive taxes - not least on the City and the bankers who caused this mess.”

EI supports the British TUC’s campaign, and calls on all teachers to join the major demonstration planned to take place on 26 March, with a message that pushes for a “genuine alternative with fair tax, growth and jobs at its heart, resonating with the public.”

source:http://www.ei-ie.org/news/news_details/1716

International teacher trade unionists gather to debate ‘building the future through quality education for all

EI President, Susan Hopgood, and General Secretary, Fred van Leeuwen, are joined by the heads of South Africa’s largest education unions: SADTU, SAOU and NAPTOSA, and 42 of the most influential teacher union leaders from around the world. They will work together to use their expertise to review global developments in education policy; deliberate best practices to recruit, prepare and support teachers in ways that enhance the profession, and debate how to elevate student performance by access to quality public education for all.

The meeting will also identify the role of teacher unions in reforms and take strategic decisions on EI activity in coming months as it builds up to the sixth EI World Congress which takes place at Cape Town’s International Convention Centre from 22-26 July. The Congress will set out EI’s activity over the next 4 years and elect the global union’s new leaders.

EI President, Susan Hopgood, said: “The Executive Board and Congress are global forums in which teachers and education union leaders meet on the basis of shared interest and partnership to discuss how the confidence, learning and status of teachers can be enhanced. The future of all children and young people depends on qualified and motivated teachers. Our time in Cape Town is an opportunity to set a clear framework for how we achieve this.”

SADTU General Secretary, Mugwene Maluleke, said: “The global economic crisis emerged in financial markets in the developed world but continues to spread and impact in a myriad of ways on both developing and developed nations. EI’s work has shown that the impact of the global economic crisis has not been consistent across countries and within regions. Consequently, the effects on education sectors from early childhood through to higher education have been varied and heavily dependent on policies adopted by governments. The solutions to social, economic and environmental crises have to be global and must engage teachers who are often on the front line of enabling recovery.”

NAPTOSA General Secretary, Henry Hendricks, said: “We are proud to welcome teachers from around the world to our country and the Mother City, Cape Town. While enjoying the obvious charms of the city and its hinterland, delegates will address the many challenges facing education in South Africa as well as in other developing and developed countries. We are convinced that this Congress will be a water-shed that will set the platform to transform education in countries across the globe. We look forward with eager anticipation to working with our colleagues from all over the world in finding the solutions.”

SAOU General Secretary, Chris Klopper, said: “Hosting EI’s Executive Board and World Congress is a real opportunity to exhibit true South African hospitality and prove our prowess at arranging international events. South African unions have taken hands to ensure that the event lives up to everyone’s expectations. It is also an opportunity to prove that diversity is celebrated in South Africa and that all communities are represented by the three national teacher unions. EI fulfils a pivotal role in ensuring that the organised teaching profession is strategically positioned to confront the universal challenges that face education in all countries. The solidarity from EI ensures that unions can take the lead and give guidance in their respective countries to successfully prevail over such challenges. ”

SOURCE:http://www.ei-ie.org/news/news_details/1705

USA: Senators restrict public-sector and teacher unions' rights

Republicans in the Wisconsin state senate have approved a regressive plan to strip public-sector and teacher trade unions of most of their collective bargaining rights.

The US state's 14 Democratic senators had sought to prevent the move by fleeing the state, leaving the chamber short of the number needed for a vote, but the Republicans used a rarely used procedural move to allow them to vote on the measure in committee instead.

Crowds of protesters from EI's U.S. affiliates, the AFT and NEA, swamped the state capitol in Madison following the vote.

"The whole world is watching," they shouted as police guarded the entrance to the senate chamber. In the senate gallery, spectators shouted "you are cowards" as voting took place.

The plan has prompted weeks of protests in support of public workers and teachers.

The Republican-controlled state assembly is due to take up the legislation on Thursday morning, after which it will go to Republican Governor Scott Walker for signature.

Mr Walker argues the move is needed to help tackle a $3.6bn budget gap over the next two years but the education unions have said it is intended to weaken the power of the unions, which tend to back the Democrats in elections.

The Democrats had called for the Republicans to compromise over public-sector unions' bargaining rights.

But Mr Walker's proposal was approved by a special conference committee after it was stripped of financial measures, meaning that a quorum was no longer needed in the Senate. No Democrats were present to vote against the legislation. Republican Senator Dale Schultz cast the only 'no' vote.

In a statement published on his website, Governor Walker said: "I applaud the legislature's action today to stand up to the status quo and take a step in the right direction to balance the budget and reform government."

He added that the state's Democratic senators - who fled to neighbouring Illinois nearly three weeks ago to block a vote - had had plenty of chances to come back to Wisconsin and act.

Democratic senate minority leader, Mark Miller, said the Republicans had shown disrespect for the people of Wisconsin and their rights: "Tonight, 18 senate Republicans conspired to take government away from the people. Tomorrow we will join the people of Wisconsin in taking back their government."

State unions had said they would agree to Mr Walker's proposed changes to their benefits - which would amount to an eight per cent pay cut - as long as they retained collective bargaining rights.

National Education Association President, Dennis Van Roekel, said: “These are actions more fitting for comic book arch-villains. A new crop of state leaders have launched blistering attacks on working families disguised as budget and education reforms, and many have sought to strip workers’ rights to have a voice through their union.”

EI General Secretary, Fred van Leeuwen, said: “Educators around the world are behind their U.S. colleagues, and strongly condemn this assault on trade union members’ basic right to collective bargaining.

“Those political leaders who attack education workers with such regressive moves, fail to understand that successful education reform cannot be achieved without the involvement and consent of teachers, education workers and their school communities. EI will make this point, among others, to ensure that the teacher voice is heard at next week’s International Summit on the Teaching Profession in New York, where we will advocate for a strong and respected teaching workforce in all countries.”

source:http://www.ei-ie.org/en/news/show.php?id=1555&theme=rights&country=usa

International Women’s Day: Invest in education of girls!

There is no tool more effective for development and poverty reduction than the education of girls. Today, on International Women’s Day, EI demands greater investment in and political commitment to achieving this goal.

In many countries around the world, basic education is not accessible to millions of people. Of the 796 million illiterate people, women make up two thirds. Girls and women face particular obstacles that keep them out of education: Violence on the way to school, in and around schools; early pregnancy and early marriage; vulnerability to the HIV epidemic, as well as discrimination based on gender stereotypes in the wider community and at schools; school fees, which may mean that parents send their boys and not their girls to school; and lack of gender sensitive quality education especially in rural areas.

EI Deputy General Secretary Jan Eastman said: “This early discrimination contributes fundamentally to the disadvantages that women are faced with in so many areas of life. Conversely, investing in girls’ education not only gives women and girls the tools to stand up against discrimination and violence, it is also a precondition for democracy and development. It raises economic productivity, lowers infant and maternal mortality, and leads to considerable improvements in families’ health and nutrition.”

A report released last week by the Education For All Fast Track Initiative shows the progress that girls have made not only in enrolling in school but also in completing their education. It highlights the most effective tools to achieve this progress: The mobilisation of communities to send girls to school, targeted financial support for girls to cover for school fees and textbook costs, and the creation of school health and feeding programs. “Education to at least secondary level is crucial for the empowerment of girls,” said Eastman.

Using the slogan “It is a right! Make it right!”, women’s and girls’ right to education is the theme of this year’s Global Action Week from 2 to 8 May 2011. Under the heading “The Big Story” millions of people around the world will share stories on women’s and girls’ education. The main aim of the Global Action Week will be to urge leaders to make specific policy pledges which must be followed through and implemented. EI advocates for greater investment in the education of girls, today and every other day of the year.

source:http://www.ei-ie.org/en/news/show.php?id=1549&theme=gender&country=global

Education unions prepare for life after Mubarak

Hosni Mubarak has decided to step down as the President of Egypt. In an announcement on state TV, Vice-President Omar Suleiman said Mr Mubarak has handed power to the military.

It came as thousands massed in Cairo and other Egyptian cities for an 18th day of protest to demand Mr Mubarak's resignation.

Protesters responded by cheering, waving flags, embracing and sounding car horns. "The people have brought down the regime," they chanted.

Mr Suleiman said Mr Mubarak had handed power to the high command of the armed forces.

As the political situation unfolds in Egypt, EI expresses its support to the independent trade union movement in their demands for democracy, social justice and trade union rights.

EI has been in daily contact with representatives of the independent union under the umbrella of the Egyptian Federation of Independent Unions. This group was formed on 30 January 2011 by the Teachers’ Independent Union, the Retired Workers’ Union, the Health Professionals’ Union and the Tax Collectors’ Union.

During the pro-democracy actions that led to President Mubarak’s departure, Egyptian public sector institutions, such as education and the postal services, had come to near standstill in protest against his regime.

On Tuesday 8 February, the day of global solidarity with Egypt, EI joined the ITUC’s international trade union delegation to the Egyptian Embassy in Brussels.

ITUC General Secretary, Sharan Burrow, was joined by EI Deputy General Secretary, Jan Eastman, and representatives of the three Belgian trade union centres.

EI will continue to support the independent union movement in their effort to be effective players in the transformation of Egypt, and intends to lead an EI delegation to Cairo in the week ahead to identify the support and solidarity its member organisations can bring to teachers across the country.

 

source:http://www.ei-ie.org/en/news/show.php?id=1515&theme=rights&country=egypt

UK: Training of teachers vital to managing pupil behaviour

The National Union of Teachers (UK) has responded to a parliamentary Education Committee report into behaviour and discipline in schools by stressing the need for teachers to have access to continuous professional development.

The NUT has argued that this is the key to ensuring teachers remain confident and well informed in how to deal with pupil behaviour.

NUT General Secretary, Christine Blower, said: “While we must not forget that the majority of our classrooms are safe and pupils are well behaved the NUT agrees that it is critical for schools to have behaviour and discipline policies drawn up not only in consultation with staff, but also with children and young people and that the whole school community is actually involved in making sure that the policy is implemented, on a proper and consistent basis. “

Blower added: “whatever curriculum is put into place has to be free from the restraint of excessive testing and league tables which simply stifle creativity and enjoyment.

“Unlike the report we do not support the move towards school centred and employment based training. Teachers need proper, in depth, theoretical training, as much of this report demonstrates.”

According to Blower, the report is “a stark reminder that cutting schools budgets and those of local authorities will lead to the most vulnerable children being deprived of vital services. A problem which will only be exacerbated if more schools become academies or Free Schools and coherent provision for schools is slowly, but surely dismantled.”

EI supports the NUT’s campaign to secure quality training for teachers and an excellent education to students in Britain.

As the global union federation representing 30 million teachers worldwide, EI urges governments not to use the global economic crisis as an excuse to cut public spending in education and teacher training and jobs.

To read the full NUT statement, please click here.

source:http://www.ei-ie.org/en/news/show.php?id=1507&theme=ei&country=global