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Fighting the commercialisation of education 5 June 2020 Post-pandemic economic recovery requires radical rethink and global solidarity, say union bodies
Many economists predict that the COVID-19 pandemic will produce the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Policies and the details of their implementation will not only determine if economic recovery is successful, but if that recovery accelerates or slows the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals...
Post-pandemic economic recovery requires radical rethink and global solidarity, say union bodies -
Trade union rights are human rights 2 June 2020 Cameroon: the resumption of face-to-face classes without proper preliminary planning endangers teachers and students alike
Organised teachers in Cameroon have warned the government that a resumption of classes on 1 June carried out without sufficient preliminary planning would put the educational community in danger. They have especially insisted on reduced class sizes and the provision of masks and hand sanitizer.
Cameroon: the resumption of face-to-face classes without proper preliminary planning endangers teachers and students alike -
Trade union rights are human rights 2 June 2020 Niger: an intolerable situation for more than 2,500 teachers
Schools that had been closed since 20 March reopened on 1 June, but the status and safety of thousands of teachers are still in danger.
Niger: an intolerable situation for more than 2,500 teachers -
Trade union rights are human rights 28 May 2020 Kenya: New report urges government to plan well and save lives
In Kenya, education unions have joined with civil society organisations in presenting public authorities with recommendations and steps to be taken to guarantee a safe reopening of schools and education institutions.
Kenya: New report urges government to plan well and save lives -
Trade union rights are human rights 26 May 2020 Brazil: Trade union manifesto urges different approach from Bolsonaro
In Brazil, the Confederação Nacional dos Trabalhadores em Educação (CNTE) has issued a manifesto of measures to safeguard public health and workers’ lives.
Brazil: Trade union manifesto urges different approach from Bolsonaro -
Trade union rights are human rights 26 May 2020 Malaysia: Education union pivots to address new situations caused by COVID-19 crisis
In Malaysia, the Sarawak Teachers’ Union has been responding to issues such as remote teaching and learning, students’ mental health, exams and gender inequality, all arising out of school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Malaysia: Education union pivots to address new situations caused by COVID-19 crisis -
Trade union rights are human rights 25 May 2020 DRC: united teaching unions set out firm conditions for the reopening of schools
The member organisations of Education International in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have collectively informed the public authorities of the six conditions they insist must be met before schools and teaching institutions are reopened.
DRC: united teaching unions set out firm conditions for the reopening of schools -
Trade union rights are human rights 20 May 2020 “A Plan to Safely Reopen America’s Schools and Communities”, by Randi Weingarten.
Randi Weingarten
The American Federation of Teachers has released a detailed road map that, in the absence of a COVID-19 vaccine, charts a path to safely and responsibly reopen school buildings and other institutions crucial to the well-being and economic vitality of our communities.
“A Plan to Safely Reopen America’s Schools and Communities”, by Randi Weingarten. -
Trade union rights are human rights 20 May 2020 Raise your hand for Justice for Every Child!
The Justice for Every Child campaign, launched by the 100 Million campaign, urges the international community to take immediate action for marginalised children and young people.
Raise your hand for Justice for Every Child! -
Trade union rights are human rights 19 May 2020 “In Africa, making use of the Ebola epidemic experience to combat coronavirus”, by Kadiatou Bah and Salifou Camara.
Salifou Camara, Kadiatou Bah
Guineans have drawn lessons from Ebola, which has killed more than 2,500 people in our country. The country had neglected the disease when the first cases began in 2013 in a forest region around 900 kilometers from the capital. The first victims were not isolated, which encouraged contamination until an...
“In Africa, making use of the Ebola epidemic experience to combat coronavirus”, by Kadiatou Bah and Salifou Camara. -
Trade union rights are human rights 19 May 2020 South Africa: The safety of educators and students is of serious concern in the reopening of schools and colleges
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) has expressed grave concern at government plans to reopen schools and education institutions on 1 June. Urging the government to prioritise safety, the union has compiled preconditions and non-negotiable items to be met before any educators resume on-site teaching.
South Africa: The safety of educators and students is of serious concern in the reopening of schools and colleges -
Trade union rights are human rights 19 May 2020 Finding Hope: Children’s book launched to provide children with hope
A new children’s book that aims to change the narrative around COVID-19 has been launched. “Hope, Where Are You?” also gives children and families hope during these times of the pandemic and school closures.
Finding Hope: Children’s book launched to provide children with hope -
Trade union rights are human rights 18 May 2020 German-speaking education unions raise concerns over digital deficit exposed by COVID-19
Three member organisations in German-speaking countries have issued a joint statement in which they highlight their shared concerns about the impact of COVID-19 on their national education systems.
German-speaking education unions raise concerns over digital deficit exposed by COVID-19 -
Union growth 16 May 2020 “Education Support Professionals Need Protection Now!”, by Rae Nwosu.
Rae Nwosu
As president of the National Council of Education Support Professionals of the National Education Association (USA), I have the distinct honor of representing Education Support Professionals (ESPs) across the United States. We are crossing guards, bus drivers & bus monitors, paraeducators, secretaries, custodians, interpreters & translators, cafeteria workers, and everything...
“Education Support Professionals Need Protection Now!”, by Rae Nwosu. -
Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 15 May 2020 “Hong Kong and Its Education Under the Threat of Covid-19”, by IP Kin-yuen.
IP Kin-yuen
This is not the first time that Hong Kong faces a coronavirus attack. The bitter experience of SARS in 2003 which cost 299 lives (including eight medical staff) was horrible and unforgettable. That was the reason why HK citizens responded so quickly to the outbreak of a similar coronavirus and...
“Hong Kong and Its Education Under the Threat of Covid-19”, by IP Kin-yuen. -
Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 12 May 2020 “Corona Crisis and School Reopening in Germany”
Marlis Tepe
An interview with Marlis Tepe, president of the German education union (GEW).
“Corona Crisis and School Reopening in Germany” -
Equity and inclusion 1 April 2020 “Joined up Action Needed: Gender and Schooling in the Time of COVID 19”, by Elaine Unterhalter.
Elaine Unterhalter
More than 1.5 billion children worldwide are out of school due to COVID 19 and we don't know for how long. As yet there is no gender disaggregation of these figures. This shock comes at a time when, slowly, the number of children enrolling and completing school was beginning to...
“Joined up Action Needed: Gender and Schooling in the Time of COVID 19”, by Elaine Unterhalter. -
Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 26 March 2020 “Should we continue student learning during covid19? A question of Maslow before Bloom”, by Armand Doucet.
Armand Doucet
Should we continue student learning during Covid19? What a profound question to ponder during these incredible times. Teachers must ask themselves this question: Are my students ready to learn today. This foundational question is always present in formal education, the elephant in the room, which is why “Maslow before Bloom”...
“Should we continue student learning during covid19? A question of Maslow before Bloom”, by Armand Doucet.