PGRI-EI Consortium Project Pilot - District workshop on education campaigns in Indonesia
The harassment of teachers by students and parents was highlighted at a district workshop on education campaigns organised by the Persatuan Guru Republik Indonesia(PGRI) and EI from 13-15 June in Bali, Indonesia. . Issues that have been raised at district level include the misinterpretation of disciplinary actions by teachers as abuse against students, leading to the imprisonment of many teachers. Lack of teachers, improper distribution of teachers, contract teachers, and two parallel curricula are the most common issues dealt with by the PGRI. Rey Dolot represented EI.
PGRI-EI Consortium Project - Mid-term evaluation meeting in Indonesia
A mid-term review of PGRI’s activities laid plans for the second semester of 2016 and reviewed the year’s first semester. The review, from 17-18 June 2016 in Jakarta, Indonesia, was attended by the EI Asia-Pacific Office (EIAP) and PGRI leaders. Progress in increasing pilot district leaders’ capacity, membership recruitment, and women’s involvement in organisational leadership was analysed in the four pilot districts where leaders had been trained under the joint supervision of the PGRI Executive Board and the EIAP. Rey Dolot represented EI.
EI/Lärarförbundet/EI Filipino affiliates’ organising and capacity-building projects: Mid-term evaluation meetings in the Philippines
Sweden’s Lärarförbundet has bilateral projects with EI affiliates in the Philippines: the Samahang Manggagawang Pilipino-National Alliance of Teachers and Office Workers, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, and the Teachers' Organisation of the Philippine Public Sector. Mid-term evaluation meetings were held from 11-16 July, in Mandaluyong City, the Philippines, attended by EIAP, Lärarförbundet and the member organisations. The first semester, including financial reports, were reviewed and new procedures collectively agreed by the participants. Rey Dolot represented EI.
Workshop on “Rights of Indigenous Peoples”
The ‘Rights of Indigenous Peoples’ workshop organised by EI from 27-29 June in Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia, heard the Sarawak Teachers’ Union (STU) identify issues and challenges faced by indigenous people in Sarawak, particularly in education and the protection of their rights. Participants formulated strategies to safeguard and promote the rights of indigenous people and other minorities, particularly in the context of SDG 4 on inclusive quality education, as well as SDG 8 on decent work. Jerome Fernandez represented EI.
EI Post-Haiyan (Yolanda) Rehabilitation Initiative: Mid-term evaluation meeting from 12-13 July in the Philippines
Three years after the beginning of the EI Post-Haiyan (Yolanda) Rehabilitation Initiative in the Philippines, EI and concerned member organisations debated in Mandaluyong Citythe lessons learnt in the intervening years. They reviewed the development of teachers’ necessary skills and knowledge on psycho-social first aid, disaster management, mental health and psychological support, financing activities in favour of the victims and their families, as well as organising and recruiting teachers and trade union leadership and administration. Helping victims/teachers, their families and community to rebuild their lives will still be the focus of this initiative during the second semester of 2016. Rey Dolot represented EI.
India research launch
On 17 and 21 July, EI’s new report, “Profiting from the Poor: The Emergence of Multinational Edu-businesses in Hyderabad, India”, co-authored by Sangeeta Kamat, Carol Anne Spreen, and Indivar Jonnalagadda, was launched in Hyderabad and Delhi, India, respectively.
The launch was attended by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education, politicians, educationalists, national and state leaders of EI’s Indian affiliates (the All India Primary Teachers' Federation, All India Federation of Teachers' Organisations, and the All India Secondary Teachers Federation), parents, teachers, and students. Angelo Gavrielatos and Mar Candela represented EI.