The Fourth World Congress of Education International, meeting in Porto Alegre (Brazil) from 22 to 26 July 2004:
Notes that:
1. Quality in education is an integral part of education and in no case should be compromised;
2. EI member organisations, especially in the developing countries, in the absence of policies on quality are facing difficulties in dealing with the quality issues especially when faced with the arguments of the governments and the international financial institutions. This has become alarmingly dangerous in view of fast track initiatives in many countries;
3. A single EI policy setting out guidelines on what it believes to be quality in education, if developed, could help member organisations face these challenges;
4. Development of such a resolution would also help in providing initial building blocks for the universal acceptance of quality in education for all countries thus contributing to reduce the knowledge gap between the developed and underdeveloped countries.
Calls for:
5. The EI Executive Board to take immediate actions to prepare member organisations, especially in those most affected by the policies of the International financial institutions and governments which undermine trade union values and quality in education;
6. The EI Executive Board to make necessary consultations with the member organisations in developing such a policy;
7. EI member organisations to start developing national responses in support of quality education including the needs for: a. Adequate educational infrastructures b. Greater accountability. c. Improved working conditions and service packages for teachers d. Broad based national consensus and social alliances e. Global and local implications of quality f. Accessibility, affordability and Education for All g. Professionalism in education