Education International Worlds of n° 32 / December 2009 Internationale de l'Education Internacional de la Educación

www.ei-ie.org Education

Cambodians defy official ban on World Teachers’ Day march © CITA

Indian children win new Right to Education Bill p. 3 EI President steps down after election to SA National Assembly p. 8 Strategic responses to the global economic crisis p. 10 Honduran teachers face post-coup violence p. 17 Quality teacher training spells success for Finnish students p. 23 2 EI Worlds of Education n° 32 / December 2009

Good news Right to This month we are happy to report on a very successful World education Teachers’ Day 2009. affirmed Teachers around the world participated at the highest level ever, for Indian thanks in part to bet- ©EI ter organisation and children modern communications. Interactive web features such as electronic greeting cards, Worlds of Worlds E d u c a t i o n digital photo streaming and tweets on Twitter helped EI to connect with teach- ers around the world, and them with one India has passed landmark another. legislation providing for free On 5 October it seemed that everyone, and compulsory education to everywhere, was talking about and cel- all children aged 6 to 14. In a ebrating their teachers and the amazing vote held 20 July, the Rajya contribution they make. Their positive Sabha, India’s upper House of impact on the intellectual, social, psycho- Parliament, gave unanimous logical and physical growth and wellbeing of hundreds of millions of children around approval to The Right of the world is literally incalculable. Children to Free and Compulsory Education Bill. The legislation But if politicians aren’t committed to build- passed the lower House, Lok ing strong and stable public education sys- Sabha, on 4 August. tems all year round, it’s not really enough

to economic crisis to merely smile and celebrate teachers for a single day. The vote came after a long and intense struggle by teachers and their unions across In the face of economic crisis, govern- India, said Mr. S. Eswaran, newly appointed ments must invest in lifelong learning for Vice-President for Asia-Pacific region and Don’t sacrifice children Don’t the future health and harmony of their the General Secretary of the All-India Pri- societies. This will require political will and mary Teachers’ Federation. personal courage, no doubt. But society expects teachers to demonstrate the cour- “We are very happy. This is the outcome of age of their convictions, so why would we our sincere efforts and agitation launched expect any less of our politicial leaders? by AIPTF with the support of all affiliates,” Education International is urging leaders said Eswaran. “We have achieved success in everywhere to heed our call to protect our struggle to get every child in the country public education and to hear our plea on the fundamental right to education.” behalf of students: EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen wel- Don’t sacrifice children and youth on the comed the news. “This is an enormous step altar of the economic crisis! forward for a country such as India, which faces significant challenges in eliminating Fred van Leeuwen, EI General Secretary child labour and reaching the goal of uni- versal access to quality public education. EI congratulates all of the Indian teachers and Cover photo: Even though the authorities officially disallowed their demonstration and denied their right to celebrate World Teachers’ Day, members of the Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association still took to the streets of Phnom Penh on 5 October. EI Worlds of Education n° 32 / December 2009 3 dia © AIPTF/In EI Vice-President S. Eswaran (centre, wearing white) and the All-India Primary Teachers’ Federation organised tens of thousands of members to participate in a massive demonstration in front of the Indian Parliament in Delhi to urge passage of an improved version of the Right to Education Bill.

trade union activists who have worked so Indrashekhar Mishra, General Secretary of Human Resource Development Minister hard for so long to bring forward this his- the secondary teachers’ union, AISTF de- Kapil Sibal said, “We are dealing with an toric legislation.” scribed the bill as “a step in the right direc- issue that will determine the course of India tion” which will rejuvenate the education in the 21st Century…. We must move forward Clearly, the practicalities of guaranteeing sector. by sending a strong message to the world education to so many million children are and to our children that we are determined daunting, and will demand increased fund- The Bill seeks to make access to education to provide them with quality education.” ing. Eswaran said the AIPTF estimates that more equitable. It prohibits the vetting of about 2.2 million additional teachers will students and parents, and disallows the be needed in the next two to three years to charging of arbitrary fees to secure ad- We have achieved success in our meet the requirements of the bill. mission to public schools. It also obliges struggle for getting every child in private schools to make a quarter of their the country the fundamental “Where will they get the money and find the places available to disadvantaged children right to education trained teachers? This would influence the on a non-fee paying basis. quality of education as well as opportunities for [teacher] appointment,” he said, noting AISTF expressed concern that the latter Sibal noted that about half of India’s 200 that with so many untrained teachers and clause “will encourage privatisation and million children are out of the education class sizes of 50-60 students, India faces great thereby commercialisation of school educa- system. “We have to get them back to challenges in terms of education quality. tion” and advocated “changes to ensure school,” he said. “It is not an easy task to free and compulsory education for the child embark on a national enterprise but we “We have protested at these conditions, up to the age of 18 years.” Chief among have to do it. Is it easy to tackle climate and told government that the para-teachers their recommendations is the implementa- change? Is it easy to counter the global have to be brought along, get training to be tion of a neighbourhood school concept meltdown? … I agree it is a difficult task. To- qualified, and adequate salaries,” Eswaran which aims to send children to the schools gether, we have to do it, we must do it, and said. closest to their homes. we will do it,” he stated. III 4 EI Worlds of Education n° 32 / December 2009

World Teachers’ Day

Build the Future: Invest in Teachers Now!

This was the resounding message from teachers around the world as they lobbied and marched and celebrated World Teachers’ Day, 5 October, despite the global economic crisis threatening education and other key public services.

In countries where democratic rights are respected, educators celebrated their profession and their activism in a great variety of colourful and creative ways. In other countries, teachers were prohibited for reasons, both natural and man-made, from exercising their rights to freedom of expression and association.

In Indonesia, for example, teachers strug- gled to resume classes amongst the rubble in Padang, where more than 600 people were killed and many buildings, including schools, were destroyed by two massive earthquakes in late September. © CITA In Cambodia, teachers took to the streets Even though the authorities officially disallowed their demonstration and denied their right to of Phnom Penh, despite a government celebrate World Teachers’ Day, members of the Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association order forbidding them to celebrate World still took to the streets of Phnom Penh on 5 October. Teachers’ Day. released the next day, but Baghani was towards a national social agreement for In a letter sent on 3 October, the Phnom interrogated for 11 hours and charged with education. “I will continue to dedicate my Penh municipal authorities informed the “holding an unauthorised meeting” and heart and all my efforts to showing that the Cambodian Independent Teachers’ As- “celebrating World Teachers’ Day.” greatness of any country should be meas- sociation (CITA) that its plans to mark the ured by the respect it accords to its teach- day in front of the former National Assem- In Romania, teachers and other public ers,” Zapatero wrote. bly and the Ministry of Education would servants took strike action on 5 October not be allowed. Leng Bunhong, Chief of to protest at the massive public spending In Belgium, teachers demonstrated in front Administration for CITA, said: “Cambodia cuts ordered by the International Mon- of the Ministry of Education for the French- has now lost its freedom, rights of expres- etary Fund (IMF). Teachers have already speaking community for withdrawal of the sion and of association to join together in been on strike this year against a pay plan to impose maximum working hours an association or trade union.” freeze and a refusal to pay a promised and cut education spending. increase of 50% on their meagre average In Iran, teacher unionists were holding salaries of $485 per month. In Germany, the EI affiliates GEW and VBE a union meeting in the Tehran home of issued a joint statement insisting that their General Secretary, Mr. Baghani, when By contrast, Spanish President José Luis “the decisions taken at the 2008 Educa- plain clothes policemen suddenly burst Rodriguez Zapatero published an open let- tion Summit must be fully and politically in and arrested them all. No reasons were ter to teachers in the context of Spain’s re- enforced.” They called for both the federal given. Nine of the teacher unionists were cent education reforms and its new project state and the Länder to take the joint re- EI Worlds of Education n° 32 / December 2009 5

I will continue to dedicate my heart and all my efforts to showing that the greatness of any country should be measured by the respect it accords to its sponsibility for “creating the conditions The National Education Association in the to achieve an educational Republic of teachers. — Spanish President USA expressed concern about the punitive Germany.” José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero testing regimes in American schools, and found parallels in the experience of South In Albania, teacher unions FSASH and African teachers. Filmmaker Molly Blank SPASH jointly organised events to involve Obama administration to make sound in- explored the role of testing in South African local teachers and grassroots union mem- vestments in education, including teacher high schools and, in celebration of World bers as much as possible. At one event recruitment and retention, both domesti- Teachers’ Day, her film “Testing Hope” was in the capital city of Tirana, the Minister cally and abroad, to improve children’s made available on the NEA website. of Education and Science Genc Pollo an- futures and restore economic strength. nounced the government’s plan to make “As leaders from Argentina to Zimbabwe In the United Kingdom, members of the education one of its top priorities next year grapple with the world economic crisis, it is National Union of Teachers of England and and to increase investment, especially at more important than ever that they reject Wales also boycotted the testing in their pre-school and primary levels. cuts to education, which offer only short- schools. Many other events took place term relief yet have lasting effects from across the globe on one of the most-cele- In the United States, the American Federa- which children may never fully recover,” brated World Teachers’ Days ever. III tion of Teachers urged Congress and the said AFT President Randi Weingarten. Peace. Live it. Teach it.

“Peace. Live it. Teach it.” This was the theme a presentation to 600 future teachers on and the Dalai Lama holding a box contain- for Canadian teachers and students who put the theme of teaching ethics and religion. ing the award-winning essays on peace peace education at the heart of their World Left to right: Heather MacIsaac, the teacher education by Canadian secondary school Teachers’ Day celebrations. They met with whose design won the WTD peace poster students Emily, Daniel and Miguel. III the Dalai Lama in Montreal, after he gave contest, CTF President Mary-Lou Donnelly, CTF treet CTF n S /G ree n J acobs E lise 6 EI Worlds of Education n° 32 / December 2009

World Teachers’ Day

Bloggers celebrate teachers too

Barbara Hoskins Sakamoto has taught English as a Second or Foreign Language for more than 20 years. She currently lives in Kitakyushu, Japan, where she blogs at www.teachingvillage.org.

She writes: “I want to learn about anything that will make me a better teacher. These days, that includes learning how to use Web 2.0 tools and virtual worlds in the classroom and for professional develop- ment, learning about new teaching meth- odologies and techniques, trying to keep up with research about how children learn. Luckily, I have found generous online friends who help me learn.”

Here are some of her thoughts on World Teachers’ Day 2009: There are teachers, and there are teachers. I respect anyone who steps into a class- room, but I adore educators for whom teaching is as much a vocation as a job. Why? Because when teachers go on vaca- tion, they look at ways to exploit their ad- ventures for students. Whether collecting foreign magazines for language class, or foreign coins for math class, or postcards for geography class, teachers always look for inexpensive ways to make learning more interesting and relevant….

Because teachers turn every single thing they touch into an educational opportu- nity. Teachers looked at World of Warcraft and thought, this just might motivate re- luctant learners. They visited Second Life © COT and said, “Cool place to teach! Look at the Primary students in Karachi, Pakistan, display the EI World Teachers’ Day poster. potential here!” They looked at Skype and saw a way to connect their students with the world. They looked at Twitter and said, “Great way to share resources!” to open classrooms to the world, to protect the things they do every day… Because children from the world. But, at the end of they can’t imagine doing anything but Because teachers fight passionately for ed- the day, teachers work to help students teach. ucation ideals – to include technology, to succeed within whatever reality they face. exclude technology; to abolish standard- Because teachers are reading this and Happy World Teachers’ Day! Thank you for ized tests, to improve standardized tests; wondering why I’m making a fuss about inspiring the world’s children. III EI Worlds of Education n° 32 / December 2009 7

Teachers teach ... and tweet!

Raul Pacheco Vega is a Those who visited EI’s World Teachers’ Day site this year Canadian teacher and will have noticed that for the first time we integrated a Twitter researcher in environmental board on its front page studies, and a consultant on social media. On World “What’s Twitter?” those who are Teachers’ Day, he posted these not familiar with the odd term may thoughts on his blog at ask. www.hummingbird604.com In short, Twitter is a worldwide micro-blog that has transformed the way social networking sites operate, My parents (both of them) have been even threatening the hegemony of Web 2.0 ter applications have been developed for teachers (well, professors more like it) for giant, Facebook. all sorts of mobile devices making it pos- longer than I’ve been on this planet. All my sible to tweet anywhere you go. Hence its brothers and myself have taught. Two of On Twitter, users can post a maximum of simplicity and portability made its popular- my brothers, my Mom and I all have PhDs, 140 characters in a “tweet” about any topic ity soar sky-high in the past two years. which means that we are qualified to teach under the sun. Users have created a whole at the university level. And my late Auntie L new vocabulary by changing the verb into This year, we wanted to provide a service was an elementary school teacher…. a noun (someone “tweets” by posting a to teachers and their unions who make “tweet”) and introducing the strange word use of Twitter to chat about World Teach- Teaching is not only in my genes, but it is “twitterer” (someone who uses the social ers’ Day. Using the hashtag #wtd2009, we in my blood, it is in my soul and it’s some- networking site). posted a live Twitter board featuring only thing I adore doing. I have taught at all lev- tweets tagged with the topic. It proved to els (high school, undergraduate, Masters Site visitors who “follow” you will see your be an instant hit! On 5 October, more than and PhD), I have taught in different lan- tweets on their Twitter page. If they like 220 tweets were posted – ranging from guages (mostly Spanish and English) and your tweet they may choose to “retweet” best wishes to one’s favourite teacher to I have taught in different countries. I have it by copying the whole tweet preceded links to blog articles about the passion of taught a broad variety of subjects… by an “RT”. If you’re tweeting to a fellow teaching. “twitterer” you post your tweet preceded The most important thing is, I teach be- by an “@” then his or her user name, like Through Twitter, we were able to befriend cause I am passionate about it. I love “@eduint” – which is Education Interna- so many teachers who are passionate shaping my students’ thinking processes. tional’s name on Twitter. about their profession and listen to their I love sharing what I have learned. I love day-to-day concerns. Much to our surprise, helping people grow and learn… If you are tweeting about a particular sub- there are numerous teachers out there who ject, you may “tag” the end of your tweet share their teaching methodologies and To my Mom (who is still a professor at her with a hashtag followed by the topic, for exchange teaching materials – providing university), my brothers (who are both as- example “#michaeljackson” or “#roses”. support to one another – all through Twit- sistant professors in US universities), to my Conversely you can search for all the ter! III former PhD supervisor and my instructors, tweets about a particular topic by typing a professors, and teachers, my friends who hashtag followed by the topic in the search Read all the tweets about World Teachers’ Day: teach in each one of their respective coun- box on your Twitter page. INFO twitter.com/#search?q=%23wtd2009 tries, and everyone else who is a teacher … my congratulations. Because Twitter is such a small and simple Follow EI on Twitter: twitter.com/eduint We are all contributing in one way or an- site, it is extremely easy to integrate its other to the growth of our societies. III functions into your own websites and Twit- 8 EI Worlds of Education n° 32 / December 2009

Global leadership

EI President steps down after election to federal public office

Australian teacher and trade unionist Susan Hopgood takes on the presidency of Education International following the resignation of EI President Thulas Nxesi, who has been elected to the National Assembly of the Republic of South Africa.

Mr. Nxesi told the officers of EI at their au- bisa, and was later promoted to head of the Vice-President, should assume the position tumn meeting that, as a Parliamentarian, he social sciences department. of President until the 6th World Congress to will have to devote all his time and energy be held in Cape Town in 2011. to advocating for his constituents and his Thulas was a founding member of the Na- party, the African National Congress. For tional Education Union of South Africa, and A former secondary school mathematics that reason, he made the difficult decision eventually became its General Secretary. teacher, Ms Hopgood rose through the to step down as President of EI, a position He went on to lead NEUSA in unity talks ranks to become a national leader of the he has held since the 2004 World Congress leading to formation of SADTU, the South Australian Education Union, which af- in Porto Alegre, Brazil, and to which he was African Democratic Teachers’ Union, the first filiates 181,000 teachers and education re-elected in 2007 at the Berlin Congress. national, non-racial education union in the workers in public pre-schools, schools country. As General Secretary since 1995, and vocational education institutions The officers of EI paid tribute to Mr. Nxesi, he has led massive strikes and campaigns throughout Australia. Elected AEU Federal noting that he has served the cause of in defence of trade union rights for teachers Secretary in 2006, she is the first woman teacher trade unionism at the national and and quality education for all. to achieve that post. international level with tremendous heart and dedication. His long history of anti- “It’s the end of my career with EI but not the “Susan brings a wealth of experience to apartheid activism began in the student end of our deep friendships and solidarity,” her new position,” Mr. Nxesi said. “We are movement and continued through the la- Thulas said. He thanked the staff and politi- fortunate to be able to count on activists bour movement. cal leaders of EI: “I salute you and offer my like Susan, with such skills and integrity to Born in 1959 in the Eastern Cape, Thulas gratitude for your collegial support and my lead EI.” completed his Bachelor of Arts at Fort Hare promise of ongoing commitment to the val- University and his Bachelor of Education ues and goals of Education International. It First elected to the EI Executive Board in at the University of the Witwatersrand. In has been a pleasure and an honour working 2001, Ms Hopgood has served as a member 1987, he earned his Higher Education Di- with you.” of the Finance and Women’s Committees, ploma from the University of South Africa. and as Chair of the Constitution and By-Laws He began his career teaching geography at The EI Executive Board voted unanimously Committee. She was Vice-Chairperson of EI’s Ikusasa Senior Secondary School in Tem- that Susan Hopgood, EI’s longest-serving Asia-Pacific Regional Committee from 2000 © C. L e nn o n/EI Eva Lis Sirén, Lärarför- Reg Weaver, NEA USA Irene Duncan Adanusa, S. Eswaran, AIPTF India Juçara Maria Dutra bundet Sweden GNAT Ghana Vieira, CNTE Brazil EI Worlds of Education n° 32 / December 2009 9 © C. L e nn o n/EI Executive Board member Graeme McCulloch of Australia presents a farewell gift to outgoing EI President Thulas Nxesi, as his wife Sesi looks on and incoming President Susan Hopgood applauds. Other members of the Executive Board from every region of the world paid tribute to Thulas and thanked him for his contributions to Education International. to 2006, and Vice-President of the Council of “After 50 years of continuous trade union > Making gender balance a reality in EI, in Pacific Education from 1998-2006. service, I now have the opportunity to be a schools and in society. leader on a global level, and to work for im- Not limiting her commitments to educa- proving the professional development and Eswaran credited the hard work of AIPTF in tion unionism, Susan is also extremely the status of teachers, “ he said. “My areas enabling him to reach a position of leader- active in the broader Australian labour of particular interest are HIV/AIDS, child ship at the international level. movement. She serves as a Vice-President labour, research studies, strengthening or- of the Australian Council of Trade Unions ganisations at regional level, and develop- Other changes at EI: Haldis Holst of the (ACTU) and is a member of several of its ment cooperation.” Union of Education Norway (UEN) assumes committees. the position of EI Vice-President for Europe, Eswaran outlined three future directions for and Patrick Gonthier of UNSA Education, Executive Board member S. Eswaran was EI to pursue: France, moves to an open seat on the Ex- elected to take Ms Hopgood’s position as EI ecutive Board. III Vice-President for Asia Pacific. As General > Development of solidarity to make unions Secretary of the All-India Primary Teachers’ strong; Association, he leads 2.3 million members. > Emphasis on the environment, and raising (See pages 2-3) awareness among youth 10 EI10 Worlds of Education n° 32 / December 2009

Guest speaker

Now, this time, another world is possible

A Spanish scientist, poet and Federico politician, Federico Mayor Zaragoza served as Director- Mayor General of UNESCO for 12 years, beginning in 1987. Zaragoza Under his leadership, UNESCO created the Culture of Peace Programme, which emphasizes education for peace, human rights and democracy. In 1994, Mayor was instrumental in establishing that 5 October would be recognised annually as World Teachers’ Day.

We have the power to To transition from an era of change to a verted into loans, and universal values make the world we seek, change of era it is essential for society to were replaced by the rules of the market- “ react, ceasing to be passive spectators and place. Preparing for war to ensure peace but only if we have the mere witnesses to the passage of time, and prevailed over efforts to build a lasting courage to make a new commencing to participate actively. Only peace. The UN, , progressively abandoned beginning. hh then will governments be authentically by the great powers, became a humanitar- democratic, acting upon the will of the ma- ian agency, rather than a supranational U.S. President Barack Obama, jority of citizens, while hearing and respect- legal and ethical framework, witnessing Cairo, 4 June 2009” ing their opinions. I can never cease to how its dream of worldwide democracy dis- underscore the significance of the fact that, solved into plutocratic groupings (G7, G8, at the end of that terrible Second World G20…) that have replaced “We, the peo- War, the United Nations … chose to com- ples…” with “We, the powerful…”. mence its Charter’s preamble with these words: “We, the peoples… are determined The situation has deteriorated progres- to save succeeding generations from the sively and, at the end of the “cold war,” scourge of war.” It was clear that it was the supported by large weapons manufactur- “peoples” who should build peace through ers, a war economy gradually developed their authentic representatives, doing so by until in the year 2000 investments in virtue of this supreme commitment toward military equipment reached 3,000 million the future generations. dollars daily while deaths from hunger and now avoidable diseases were estimated at However, it was not “the peoples,” but 60,000-70,000 persons each day. There rather the States, many of them authoritar- was no political will among the major pow- ian, which interpreted the UN Charter at ers to foster endogenous development or their own discretion. Cooperation soon guarantee the equal dignity of all human became exploitation, subsidies were con- beings. EI Worlds of Education n° 32 / December 2009 11

The time has arrived for a great transition from a “ culture of force to a culture of the word. ” And the present state of affairs is our collec- and equal dignity for all human beings. “To- ment: renewable energies, food production tive shame, which demands an urgent and gether,” he has said, “we can.” (agriculture, aquaculture and biotechnol- radical change. ogy), obtaining and distributing water, It is now possible, because it has been health, transportation, housing… . Only then This change is now possible because, in the made clear that multilateralism is essen- will . . . the breeding grounds that create last few years, circumstances have rapidly tial. It’s not about reinforcing some of the migratory flows of desperate people and “matured” to enable former “subjects” to be- institutions of the System, but rather about violence be avoided. come citizens of the world and to acquire a radically changing them. If we were to limit “global conscience.” Thus, they have the pos- ourselves to merely reforming our financial This is now possible, due to that innermost sibility of making comparisons, the funda- institutions, it would be as if Roosevelt had feeling that the raised fist must finally give mental basis of ethics. In addition, there has stopped at Bretton Woods. way to the outstretched hand. The key been an increase in the number of women words are “involvement” and “sharing.” I in public office and in decision-making roles Indeed, in 10 or 12 years it will be possible am sure that at this time the great majority and, finally, we have the possibility of dis- for that long-desired change of an era to of employed citizens would contribute to a tance participation through modern commu- take place, transitioning from a culture of Voluntary Solidarity Fund. What we cannot nications technology (Internet, SMS…). force and imposition to a culture of dia- do is to always assume that these problems logue, conciliation, alliance and peace. The – to which we have largely consented with Given the “human tension” generated by the time has arrived for a great transition from a our silence and inaction –will be solved by present crises – economic, environmental, culture of force to a culture of the word. those who failed to restrain systems based nutritional, energy, democratic, ethical… on deregulation and speculation. - there is an extraordinary opportunity to Until just recently immense amounts of convert into action the shock and outrage money were still being spent on weapons “All human beings are equal in dignity:” felt by those who futilely demand reason- for conventional warfare, which since the this is the key – so lucidly expressed in the able investments for the eradication of hun- Vietnam conflict have fallen into disuse. The UNESCO Constitution and the Universal ger or AIDS, and who observe that the same Bush administration took military spending, Declaration of Human rights - to entering a institutions that have opened the floodgates both its own and that of others (the “allied” new era. All human beings capable of creat- to pour immense amounts of money into countries), to unimaginable limits. But now, ing, imagining, inventing, and undertaking bailouts, are also those that have likewise, fortunately – and this is another important this new beginning, in the knowledge that with greed and irresponsibility, prompted factor in transcending our present crisis situ- we have the necessary abilities and will. And this crisis situation… ation - President Obama has decided to lead then, unlike those who remain anchored in the way toward disarmament, offering a con- the past and in their privileges, unlike the It should be recognized that the roots of this crete plan to reduce arsenals, change the sceptics and faint-hearted, we will com- multiple crisis lie precisely in the terrible focus and stop the proliferation of nuclear mence the change that we all desire, toward mistake of replacing the “universal demo- warheads. As Obama has said, “We must that other world of our dreams. With serenity, cratic principles” of social justice, solidarity, choose between investments to maintain because we know that we can do it. As Ál- equality … with the principles of the market- the security of the American people and varo Cunqueiro so beautifully observed: “The place. This has resulted in increased eco- others chosen to enrich a manufacturing bird sings while the bough breaks, because nomic inequality, fomenting social unrest company or a large contractor.” he knows the strength of his wings.” III and underscoring the unbearable lightness of democracy, to paraphrase Kundera…. It is now possible, while strengthening the This article was originally published multinational system and immediately in El País and is reproduced here in It is now possible to strengthen democracy eliminating tax havens (finally bringing be- an abbreviated form with permission in order to achieve the radical change that fore the courts the criminals that traffic in of the author. President Obama represents among the arms, drugs, patents, money and people), to world’s leaders: dialogue, collaboration, partially replace spending on weapons with constantly seeking peace through justice investments in sustainable global develop- 12 EI Worlds of Education n° 32 / December 2009

Hands up for education !

Educators fighting economic crisis: It’s time for global and local strategies

By Angele Attard and Monique Fouilhoux

Whatever good or bad news we may hear outcomes of the Hands Up for Education and rights, and fundamentally defines in the media, education is still suffering campaign to date, and one to which the education as a solution to the crisis. It can from measures taken since the onset of the member unions constructively contributed. prove useful for union work at the interna- global financial and economic crisis. This We believe it will prove to a useful tool for tional, regional, national and local level, has an impact on teachers and education education unions in times of crisis. and can be built upon further in any of unions at all levels of education. these contexts.

Education International has been running a Why do we need a new campaign on the crisis since March 2009, strategy? The role of unions and has worked extensively on combating the crisis across all regions of the world. Teaching and learning conditions vary The financial crisis was aggravated by an In particular, a high-level seminar held in widely across the globe. Poor working con- imbalance between the bargaining power of September for leaders of education unions ditions and inadequate pay were a daily employees and employers, which then led to from Central and Eastern Europe and Cen- reality for millions prior to the onset of the a broader and more severe economic crisis. tral Asia yielded very useful results in the current global financial and economic cri- Unions therefore need to push for stronger form of a strategy for education unions to sis. In different degrees, the situation has negotiating powers, in order to bridge this fight against the crisis. Although that all el- now become even more severe. A number imbalance between the two sides. Good ements may not be applicable globally, it is of teachers and academics face increased practice at the international level needs to be nonetheless useful to help us in our union working hours, larger class sizes, salary emulated in all levels of our work. work in times of crisis. and pension cuts, reduced social benefits, redundancies and the like. Cuts to educa- In July, the International Labour Organisation This strategy is only a small part of EI’s tion budgets mean that teachers are not agreed on an ILO Tripartite Jobs Pact called “Hands Up for Education” campaign, which the only ones to suffer the impact of this Agenda for Global Recovery. This involves includes fact sheets, speaking notes and a crisis, but that students and future genera- governments, unions and employers, and press kit, the analysis of two EI surveys on tions will feel the repercussions for years highlights the key role of unions. This should the impact on education of the economic to come. be a key motivator to drive our work for- crisis, ongoing global monitoring and inter- ward. Where unions have been involved in national lobbying. All campaign resources We go about our union work using tried designing solutions to the crisis, the social are available at www.ei-ie.org/handsup and tested recipes for negotiation and rep- dimension has been included in the resulting resentation of our teachers and academics. political and policy responses.In this respect, So why do we need a new strategy? Be- our role is clear. Background cause we are facing unprecedented threats. Unions have particular strengths. General la- Two days of plenaries and workshops This strategy represents a inward look at bour unions have a special view on the social provided good practice examples of ne- the work of education unions. More im- effects of economic policy and have a capac- gotiating during times of crisis, as well portantly, it stems from collaboration and ity to make counter-proposals to government as deep discussions on the impact of the sharing of good practice between leaders measures, based on their own research. As crisis in the region. A draft strategy then of education unions. Thus, it can help to education unions, we have a unique view on was drafted by the EI Secretariat and pre- stimulate us to think of recipes tried by oth- the impact of economic policy and are able sented to the seminar participants, who ers and not yet tested by us. This strategy to tap into the views of members working at then offered feedback to complete the aims to empower teachers and education the front lines. As unionists, we are able to strategy. This was one of the most concrete unions. It aims to protect teachers’ status break down complex concepts into everyday EI Worlds of Education n° 32 / December 2009 13

“Sacking thousands of staff who deliver education is deplorable at any time. In a recession, it is an act of academic vandalism by employers and government. As demand for learning soars, universities and colleges need more staff, not less. Stand up to defend jobs, defend education.” — Sally Hunt, General Secretary, University and College Union, UK

language and we can engage educators in future investment and re-instatement of full we can use the threat of industrial action debates about possible solutions to the im- salaries or compensation for cuts made to without necessarily going on strike. pact of the crisis. teachers’ salaries. We need to find out what governments We also need to have a clear policy in re- want and be clear with our demands. In Let’s make it clear to lation to the democratic values of public this context it is important to understand governments what we are education, and government’s wider respon- the arguments put forward by governments fighting for sibilities to their youngest citizens.If, as for cutting public budgets or salaries, and politicians often say, children are our future, we need to be prepared to counteract each We need to convey a clear message to gov- and the most valuable assets of society, one. Research on related issues could ernments about the goals we are fighting why do governments look for ever- cheaper prove invaluable to strengthen our argu- for. Equal access to high quality education ways to educate them? Economic growth in ments. As education unions we also need is one of these, in connection with greater the post-industrial era has to be based on to come up with an alternative plans and social justice and decent labour conditions. intellect and knowledge, and equal access solid research of our own. In turn, we need This goal can be furthered by advocating to education is clearly an essential factor in to be quick in responding to the changing for well-trained teachers; by combating pri- creating social stability and harmony. As un- situations in our respective countries, as vatisation of public schools as the answer ions, our goals and advocacy work can also events are unfolding rapidly from one day to the crisis; and by articulating the value go beyond education, dealing with prob- to another. of public education. lems such as privatisation and unemploy- ment in other sectors, as part of the public Let’s be smart and politically astute in our Another goal is enhancing investment in service movement against the crisis. planning. We need to choose the right education over the long-term. This goal un- moments to exert pressure, such as just derpins our argumentation for increasing or before elections, gaining commitments for at least maintaining teachers’ salaries. This Let’s reevaluate our positive reforms after the campaign period. goal also serves as a background for the collective bargaining We should not take sides.Rather than form fight against weakening of pension benefits strategies political alliances, it is better to stay in the and the protection of teachers’ pension margins of any potential political controver- rights. Let’s rethink the way in which we negotiate sies. We also need to be vigilant to catch without our employers. First, in terms of governments out if they try to use the crisis An additional goal is to raise the priority timespan: We can negotiate for pay rises as an excuse for their mistakes. placed on social dialogue. Without it, the or compensation to take effect after the human aspect of post-crisis recovery will be crisis, when a certain level of growth has Finally, in our negotiations it is crucial to lost, and education will be seen as a cost, been achieved. Second, in terms of col- aim for binding results, such as strong col- rather than the solution. This could have a laboration with other education and labour lective agreements and legislation with devastating impact across the globe. We unions,we need to present a united front teeth. therefore need to pressure governments for across education and labour unions so that a clear strategy to emerge from the crisis, governments will not be able to play one and to make education part of the solu- union off against another. Third, in terms of Let’s use a combination of tion. In this respect we must stress that all positions of influence, union leaders who new and old tactics negative crisis measures (e.g. budget cuts) are members of official government bodies need to be short-term measures only, and need to use their positions to exert pres- Many tried and tested measures have must be compensated by a commitment to sure. Fourth, in terms of industrial action, proven to work in exerting pressure on 14 EI Worlds of Education n° 32 / December 2009

governments. We can interact with the unions, school administration and higher Let’s work together globally public via the use of the media by holding education institutions, as well as profes- and act locally! press conferences, issuing communiqués, sional associations and NGOs working on helping students, parents and other allies education. EI’s campaign called “Hands Up for Educa- to speak out. We can seek international tion” consists of a number of elements, in- support, lobby systematically at every level, In this context however, we need to con- cluding advocacy at the international level and take part in solidarity strikes with other sider the different aims of strikes that we with a view to impacting the local level sectors. undertake (such as salary raises, protest to as well. This is a key element of our work education reforms and budgets cuts, etc.) on the 1Goal Campaign to involve football We can also try some new tactics such and we also need to consider the efficacy players, students, teachers and civil soci- as bilateral or multi-lateral collaboration of holding such strikes. We also need to be ety in supporting education in advance of with unions abroad; working with as many vigilant to solutions proposed to govern- the World Cup in South Africa next year. political parties as possible; developing re- ments by others (such as employers) which Another useful resource is the EI-ActionAid search capabilities with researchers, higher may be harmful to employees. In turn, we Toolkit on Education Financing. education staff or higher education unions. need to inform and involve members in our You can download the Toolkit from the We can hold large protest demonstrations campaign against crisis. And perhaps, more Resources page of the Hands Up For Educa- or participate in general strikes to show our than anything else – we need to be patient! tion web site. III strength in numbers. We can also work very Positive change takes time to happen, but closely with partners such as students’ un- when it does, the fruit of our work will be ions, parents’ associations, general labour evident.

Human and trade union rights Fijian leader targeted for dismissal

EI has launched an Urgent Action Appeal union centre, the Fiji Islands Council of to its member and partner organisations Trade Unions (FICTU), have expressed their to engage their help in appealing against support to the FTA and its president. the dismissal of Tevita Koroi, President of the Fijian Teachers’ Association (FTA) of the EI deplores Mr. Koroi’s dismissal from his Council of Pacific Education (COPE). employment for exercising his legitimate rights as a trade union leader, as rec- Koroi was dismissed from his position as ognised by the Fijian Constitution, the principal by the Fijian Public Service Com- country’s Employment Relations laws, and mission earlier in April for allegedly breach- by the International Labour Organisation / EI ing the country’s public service code of which states in its jurisprudence that “the conduct. The accusation was based on a freedom of expression which should be

statement Koroi made in December 2008 enjoyed by trade unions and their leaders é e D estr © F. in his capacity of trade union leader, calling should also be guaranteed when they wish ates that which have already signed the for a co-ordinated campaign to return Fiji to to criticize the government’s economic and petition: “Such support has given us much parliamentary rule. social policy.” joy and encouragement, and will indeed receive much approval and encouragement Fiji is currently ruled by an interim EI considers this dismissal a deliberate act from our membership.” III goverment after a military coup in 2006, to hinder the activities of the FTA, constitu- led by Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, ing a violation of Koroi’s freedom of expres- seized power from the democratically- sion, and of the FTA’s right to freedom of elected government. Commodore Bainima- association. rama is currently the interim Prime Minister. INFO Support the FTA! In a recent message to EI, Joeli Nabuka, Sign the online appeal at The other teacher organisation, the Fiji Principal Administrative Officer of the FTA www.ei-ie.org/fiji ! Teachers Union (FTU), as well as the trade expresses its gratitude to EI and its affili- EI Worlds of Education n° 32 / December 2009 15

COP 15

Teachers lead the way on sustainability By Fred van Leeuwen

As thousands of scientists, environmental- ists, journalists, policymakers and world leaders prepare for COP 15, the crucial org

United Nations climate change conference © 350. taking place in Copenhagen in December, Primary school students in India send a message to world leaders that a new climate deal teachers and trade unionists are also mo- is needed now. Theirs was one of more than 4,600 events taking place around the world on bilising to help ensure that a strong new 24 October. agreement is reached.

Education International has taken ground- national trade union movement, which young people are learning new ways of breaking positions on the central role of is uniquely placed to make a significant thinking about our relationships with the teachers and their unions in forging sus- contribution to the struggle to save the earth and one another, thanks to dedicated tainable economies and healthy communi- environment. teachers and progressive education unions. ties. Within EI, we believe education can lead the way towards a new green society; Already deeply engaged, teacher trade un- But radical action is needed, not only by indeed, it is fundamental to the solutions ionists will do all they possibly can to help individuals and unions, but by governments we seek. We strongly support the process find solutions. Across the higher education committed to investing in quality public as international negotiators continue to sector, academic researchers are hard at services, including education, health and work towards a new, strengthened post- work at discovering new ways to reduce water, as the basis for sustainable econo- Kyoto agreement on limiting greenhouse and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. mies. gases and mitigating the disastrous effects Other teachers have different skills to bring of climate change. to the work for economic sustainability and EI and its affiliates insist that climate global recovery. change is, indeed, a union issue. Education At a recent UN leadership forum, Secretary unions are beginning to engage in collec- General Ban Ki-Moon told more than 100 Writing about ecology, recycling at school, tive bargaining for measures to reduce the international leaders that climate change is sharing eco-friendly learning resources, carbon footprint of their schools, colleges the pre-eminent geopolitical and economic planting community gardens, compost- and universities. Some member organisa- issue of the 21st century. “It rewrites the ing in the school yard, helping kids create tions are already recruiting environmental global equation for development, peace energy-saving science projects, restoring reps who work like green shop stewards to and prosperity. It will increase pressure on local habitat, organising environmental ed- promote environmentally-positive policies water, food and land ... reverse years of ucation associations, offering professional and practices. development gains ... exacerbate poverty ... development that promotes sustainable destabilize fragile states and topple govern- communities ... Changes is never easy. But in these times ments,” Ban said. of multiple global crises it’s more important All of these initiatives clearly illustrate the than ever that we work in a spirit of col- Solving the climate and economic crises old saying about how people are so often lective good will and solidarity to build a requires unprecedented cooperation and ahead of politicians. On the issue of climate new global agreement to mitigate climate bold leadership by governments worldwide, change, public educators are at the van- change. Educators hope and believe that with the active support of an enormous guard – both in their classrooms and their Copenhagen 2009 will be a watershed mo- range of social actors including the inter- union halls. Around the world, children and ment along the path of history. III 16 EI Worlds of Education n° 32 / December 2009

Trade Union Rights Network

More Rights, Fewer Violations

By Dominique Marlet

Southeast Asian teachers who face violations of their trade union rights now have a new line of defence and a new source of solidarity.

The EI Trade Union Rights Network (TURN) The giant Indonesian union PGRI mobilised creating an efficient checkoff system, which is really getting off the ground since rep- among its 1.8 million members and ran a guarantees regular income to the teacher resentatives from member organisations massive campaign to uphold the Constitu- organisations. in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philip- tional requirement that 20% of the national pines and Thailand have agreed to set up and local budgets be spent on education. EI’s Trade Union Rights Network was an electronic network to share information With support from the media and civil launched in 2008 and the first year was and support one another. The TURN e- society, PGRI members won. Their success devoted to training representatives of the group was set up at a sub-regional confer- was inspirational for the Thai unionists, 13 member organisations in international ence in Manila, Philippines. who acknowledged that it is not in the Thai labour standards, supervisory mechanisms, culture to demand dignity and respect or to international complaint procedures, infor- The TURN project, which is financially sup- challenge the government. mation and awareness raising. Participants ported by the ILO ACTRAV and the Fried- will replicate similar training in their unions erich Ebert Foundation (FES), proposes In Cambodia, the independent teacher to build a cohort of skilled trade union to equip teacher trade unionists with the association CITA operates under constant rights advocates. tools and skills to promote and defend trade union rights, influence public policy, The next step is the networking. All the improve the legal frameworks within which teacher organisations will share informa- they operate, and build solidarity networks The TURN model could be tion, experience and good practice, and to make a difference in their respective also provide coordinated support through countries. developed in other parts the electronic network. With improved of the world to empower collection of data, more violations will be Thirteen unions from five countries are member organisations to reported, thus increasing the pressure un- participating in the TURN project. They assert their trade union ions can bring to bear on governments to are: CITA from Cambodia; PGRI and FES- rights implement, both in law and in practice, the DIKARI from Indonesia; MAE, NUTP, and full rights to freedom of association and STU-Sarawak from Malaysia; NATOW, ACT, collective bargaining. TOPPS, and FFW from Philippines; and NTTU and PSTAT from Thailand. In future, the TURN model could be devel- surveillance and harassment from the oped in other parts of the world to em- In these countries, where the trade union authorities. Nonetheless, it was able to power member organisations to assert their movement is fragmented and where most recruit more than 8,000 new members in trade union rights, speak out and promote government initiatives are business-driven, one year. The union also won a 20% wage democracy, good governance and social teacher organisations have concentrated increase for teachers. In the Philippines as justice. III their efforts on freedom of association by well, the unions have achieved major wage reaching out to potential members. increases for teachers.

Teacher activists at the Manila conference The teacher unionists in Malaysia were shared news of their achievements: much envied because of their success in EI Worlds of Education n° 32 / December 2009 17 Teachers on the front lines against flu pandemic

H1N1, often called the “swine flu,” emerged Education ministries around the world have break, ideally before one per cent of the in Mexico last April and is now the main flu faced the question of whether to close schools population falls ill,” the UN health agency strain circulating in both hemispheres, ac- to minimize the impact of the pandemic. In said in a statement advising its 193 mem- cording to the World Health Organisation. It most cases, school suspensions are decided ber states. usually causes mild symptoms, but pregnant by local, rather than national, authorities. The women and people with underlying medical exception was Mexico, which mandated na- “Under ideal conditions, school closure can conditions are at higher risk. tionwide school closures for two weeks in May. reduce the demand for health care by an es- The WHO says it’s only worth closing schools timated 30 to 50 per cent at the peak of the The web site www.flucount.org reports that to slow the spread of swine flu right at the be- pandemic.” worldwide about 6,600 people have died, ginning of an outbreak. out of more than 600,000 lab-verified cases For more information, visit the World Health of H1N1 infections. WHO estimates are lower, “School closure has its greatest benefits Organisation website: www.who.int/csr/ however. when schools are closed very early in an out- disease/swineflu/en. © REPORTERS Like fellow professionals around the world, this teacher is helping her students learn about the H1N1 influenza virus, and the simple sanitary rules that can protect them from infection. 18 EI Worlds of Education n° 32 / December 2009

Latin America

Teacher unions confront political and economic crises © R eporters Since the military coup last June, Honduran teachers have taken to the streets to press their demands for a return to constitutional rule of law and the democratic process. They have faced fierce repression as a result.

Fears of a return to dictatorship and politi- told delegates at EI’s Latin American re- In his keynote address, van Leeuwen noted cal violence in Honduras are compounding gional conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil. that a year ago some observers believed the grave economic crisis facing countries that the countries of the South had suc- across Latin America. “We cannot allow a return to the past, or ceeded in “decoupling” themselves from to dictatorship of any kind. History shows the financial crisis gripping North America “EI has taken a position that is absolutely that extremism and demagogy of all forms, and Europe. Today, however, many Latin clear on the recent military coup in Hondu- whether of the right or of the left, will thrive American countries are facing the spectre ras,” General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen in conditions of crisis.” of rising unemployment as tax revenues EI Worlds of Education n° 32 / December 2009 19

Honduras

plummet, remittances from North America shrink, and investment flows stop. Teachers killed

Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean were harder hit than South America due to in post-coup violence their dependence on the US economy. In Honduras, remittances amount to 26 per- cent of GDP. Mexico’s remittances fell by 12 percent in January 2009. Four teachers have been killed since the 28 June 2009 military coup against democrati- But teachers are acutely aware that one cally-elected President of Honduras, Manuel cannot look at the financial and economic Zelaya. EI’s member organisations there crisis in isolation. The food crisis, climate report ongoing repression by the army and change and the HIV/AIDS pandemic con- the police. front all societies, van Leeuwen noted. The Federation of Teacher Organisations of Honduras represents 52,000 teachers across “And what lies beyond the present crisis? the tiny Central American country. FOMH re- During these coming eighteen months there ports four deaths in the teaching profession will be 10 electoral processes in the region, due to the post-coup repression. and they could change the political land- Primary school teacher Roger Abraham scape. After the emergence from the years Vallejo Soriano, a 38-year-old member of the of the military dictators, there are still grave union COPEMH, was shot in the head by se- © FOHM/H o n duras risks,” he said. curity forces on 30 July during a demonstra- Troubled times: With four teachers already dead, tion. He died the next day. family and friends worry that their loved ones could Another teacher and member of the CO- be the next to pay the ultimate price for their trade PRUMH, Martín Florencio Rivera, died after union commitment. History shows that being stabbed 27 times as he was leaving extremism and demagogy Vallejo’s wake. Saturnino Sanchez, president of all forms, whether of of another EI member organisation in the claiming that Contreras was murdered by an the right or of the left, will country, COLPROSUMAH, was also severely unidentified common criminal. thrive in conditions of crisis beaten. Rosario Avila, co-ordinator of the FOHM Na- Felix Murillo López, 36, a member of tional Committee for Prevention of HIV and COPEMH, died 17 September, National Teach- AIDS in Honduras, denounced the surge in er’s Day, as a result of a hit and run while violence: “The repression is increasing. They At the same time, Latin American countries riding his bicycle. He was dead on arrival at have suppressed constitutional guarantees have come to the forefront of the world hospital in Tegucigalpa. The police launched of freedom of expression, and freedom of scene. Brazilian President Lula is seen as an investigation on suspicion that the crash movement.” “one of the key figures in the process of may have been intentional, since Murillo had She added that “several members of COL- building a sustainable and equitable global also offered evidence as a key witness to the PROSUMAH and COPEMH have been injured, recovery. Argentina is also playing a key murder of fellow teacher Roger Vallejo. some were put in prison only to be freed role, having stood up to the IMF successfully COPEMH President Eulogio Chávez told hours later.” three years ago, and showing an alternative the press that Murillo had already received A 12-hour night curfew in force in many to neo-liberal models.” threats as a consequence of his involvement parts of the country, particularly the south, in protest actions since the military coup. severely restricts unions’ right to freedom of “But we all know there is a big gap between He was active in the Resistance and, as a organization and assembly. words and action,” van Leeuwen contin- member of the Committee for Security and Avila highlighted the important leadership ued. “There is an enormous contradiction Discipline, he often led demonstrations. role of the teachers and their unions, which between the calls of the IMF leadership for The latest addition to this grim list was have been on strike since June 29: “Their stimulus through the public sector, and Mario Fidel Contreras. According to internet commitment to the defence of quality public the budget ceilings – including public sec- sources, the 50-year-old teacher died Oc- education and human rights has been a tor wage ceilings – imposed on countries tober in Tegucigalpa after being shot in the strong voice against corruption, inequality through IMF conditions.” III head. The coup regime denies responsibility, and social exclusion.” III 20 EI Worlds of Education n° 32 / December 2009

EI’s First World Women’s Conference

Teachers are on the move for equality!

By Rebeca Sevilla

Bringing gender equality closer to reality in tor: many women are employed in public nities at the 7th Latin American Women’s the daily lives of women, including through services and moreover they rely on those Round Table, held in Sao Paulo, Brazil in their participation in education unions, is services as primary caregivers. September 2009. The delegates identified a key principle of EI. With the current crises the following areas of inequity between in food security, climate change and the men and women: economic recession, this goal of gender One step forward, > Sexual and reproductive rights: many equality demands greater effort if it is to be two steps back? countries still lack the political will to put in achieved. place policies that guarantee such rights; The recent EI Asia Pacific Women’s Caucus, > The significant wage gap between men held in Bangkok, Thailand and attended by and women, on average 30%; EI’s regional women’s a record number of participants, addressed > Violence against women: existing policies networks the impact of the financial crisis on gender do not guarantee full protection; equality. “The multiple crises exacerbate > Labour laws: 60% of women continue to The women’s networks established by EI inequality practices or undo some of the work without any social protection; in developing and developed countries of positive work through the cessation of > Low participation of women in unions, Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean, Europe constructive programs,” the Caucus Re- especially in positions to shape political and Latin America alike have been instru- port stated. “Regression is looming and decision-making, less than 30%. Participa- mental in addressing the problems women teacher unions are challenged to realize the tion quotas exist in many countries. face worldwide: equal protection of their achievement of gender equality for women > Wealth distribution: in Latin America, labour rights, decent work and safe work- and girls.” 70% of the poor are women. places free of harassment and violence, well-funded and reliable public services In Latin America, specific commitments The challenges have proven difficult in Af- and social benefits (including maternity/ to consolidate the Women’s Education rica: drought, food crisis, high prevalence parental protection benefits) and quality Workers’ Network are seen as a strategic of HIV and AIDS, debt burden and a decline public education for all. The networks have element in strengthening the unions. New in foreign assistance. Sub-Saharan Africa contributed to enabling teacher organisa- commitments were made to engage in accounts for the 47% of out of school chil- tions to put equality at the heart of their union alliances to urge governments to dren worldwide. In December, the Africa policies and into their action plans. fulfil their commitments on equal opportu- Women’s Education Network (AWEN) will

Declining public funding for education, cuts in teaching positions and decreasing On the Move for Equality teacher salaries are worrying trends docu- mented in all regions. Women often find EI’s First World Women’s Conference themselves in more vulnerable economic 19-22 May 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand situations, such as temporary work and with no job security. These factors put in Over 300 women and men from education joint understanding of the state of progress doubt the adequacy of pension revenues, unions across the globe will meet in May towards equality for women and men in as documented by the 2009 EI Pan-Euro- 2010 in Bangkok at EI’s First World Confer- unions, education and society, to advance pean study on pension reforms and their ence for Women. women and girls through education, and to impact on women. Women workers are create a global equality network. typically paid less than male colleagues On the Move for Equality is a participatory because of the gender pay gap. Women are discussion forum, open to all members. Register online at also more vulnerable to cuts in public serv- The aims of the conference are to create a www.ei-ie.org ices as can be seen in the education sec- EI Worlds of Education n° 32 / December 2009 21

develop its strategic plan for the years to come.

In Europe, the ageing of the teaching pro- fession and persistent violence against women are high on the equality agenda. Teachers’ organisations have collected data on the impact of pension reforms on female teachers with a view to drawing up a strategic trade union approach. Many teachers organisations have campaigned on the issue of violence against women, and have gathered good practices for its prevention. An eye-catching presentation on the issue is to take place on 25 Novem- ber, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, at the Pan- European conference in Warsaw.

Education opportunities for girls © R. SEVILLA/EI © R.

Worldwide, education makes a real differ- EI President Susan Hopgood at the Asia Pacific Women’s Caucus meeting, with delegates from India, Australia, Bali and Hong Kong. ence, and empowers both girls and boys. Education of, and investment in, women and girls is one of the most effective means of breaking the cycle of poverty. Early childhood and primary education can play Accelerating the efforts for achieving gen- can education unions contribute to equality an essential role in changing patterns. der equality in education will be one theme for men and women, boys and girls? Education increases job opportunities and addressed at EI’s conference “On the Move > Advancing girls and women through income especially for girls, which ultimately for Equality,” to be held in Bangkok in May education: What are the means of increas- benefits families and communities. 2010. The conference will be structured ing access to quality education in order to around three main themes: contribute to overcoming gender barriers > Connecting and strengthening the through education? women’s networks: By bringing together For more info on the conference all of EI’s regional networks, activists will Women in teachers’ unions consistently INFO go to: www.ei-ie.org better be able to share information, ana- play a pivotal role in realizing the achieve- lyse contextual challenges, celebrate suc- ments of equality. Quality education for To learn more about good prac- cesses and plan joint actions. girls and boys enables people to live their tices on violence against women, > Taking stock of the status of women in lives with hope and dignity, and to partici- go to: www.un.org/esa/ today’s world: What is the participation of pate as citizens in the development and vawdatabase women in unions? What are the successes wellbeing of democratic societies. III achieved so far for women at work? How 22 EI Worlds of Education n° 32 / December 2009

Professional development

Dutch, Burundian and Indian teachers share experiences

By Claude Carroué

“When I saw the ad in our union maga- zine …I thought: Okay, why not?” says Rachel Heller, International Coordinator at Maartens College and a member of EI’s Dutch affiliate AOb. “I had spent two years in Malawi as a teacher before and I wanted to do it again.” “I thought: That’s my chance to take such a trip and do something for education in an- other country,” remembers Irene Meertens, Curriculum Coordinator at the Centrum voor nascholing of the University of Am- sterdam, and also a member of AOb. In August, they both left Holland to meet colleagues from abroad through a teacher exchange programme set up by the Dutch NGO Edukans. Heller travelled to Burundi, B © R. HELLER/AO Dutch teacher Rachel Heller gave training sessions to Burundian colleagues. and Meertens to India. In Burundi, Heller provided training to English teachers, who sometimes have to Meertens also found poor working condi- mendations: Teachers in India need more struggle to meet the needs of up to 100 tions and lack of qualified teachers in skills in active learning; and more atten- students in a single class “We showed some schools in India. tion must be paid to the motivation of them how to get their students to practise “It was shocking to see that the headmas- teachers. speaking, how to organise a classroom. ter came late to school. The reasons? Sala- According to Trudy Kerperien, AOb Interna- Also, teachers need to teach in a more en- ries are low, teachers do not have much tional Secretary, it was important “to have gaging, less traditional, way and students control over their work, and they do not the unions involved to promote the im- must become more active in class,” Heller want to work in remote areas,” Meertens portance of real schools and well-trained said. explained. “It is a question of attention teachers.” There was also a computer aspect to and attitude. The difference in salaries of What was the most striking aspect of the the programme, which faced many teachers has to be dealt with by the gov- exchange? “There was a very good at- challenges.“We visited four schools with ernment.” mosphere, and it was wonderful to share electricity, with only two to four computers A group of Dutch and Indian teachers experience with Indian teachers,” Meertens each. All the computers needed repairs, so along with NGO representatives identified reports. “They were surprised that we paid two teachers per school were trained to do different levels of teacher professional- more attention to the quality of education back up maintenance.” ism in India: Some are well educated, with and of teachers, while in India they pay With Dutch and Burundian colleagues, two years of training, but where there is a more attention to facilities and materials.” Heller arranged timetables for students to severe shortage of teachers, some have as “I learned how difficult it is for someone have computer training. little as one week of training. “But even from one country to really understand She found that the level of the Burundian two years is training of low quality in our what is going on in another country,” she teachers’ training varies widely. Some have opinion,” Meertens said. said. “You can help from the sidelines, been to university while others only had a Teachers involved in the exchange pro- but only Indian people can make things single year of training. gramme came up with two major recom- change really.” III EI Worlds of Education n° 32 /December 2009 23

Asia-Pacific regional conference

School enrolment down, child labour up due to crisis

Discussions at Education International’s sixth unions are outlawed. A delegation of Burmese “To reduce the impact of the crisis, we must Asia-Pacific regional conference, which took teachers reported on the ongoing suppression pursue a strategy of action that combines all place in Bangkok from 28-30 September, of educators by the military regime. the forces we have at our disposal,” continued centred around the impact of the financial Van Leeuwen. “We must link together our glo- and economic crisis on the education sector. In his keynote address, EI General Secretary bal strategy, our work across the Asia-Pacific The conference was opened by the Education Fred van Leeuwen urged the union leaders to region, and your national action. There must Minister of Thailand, Jurin Laksanavisit. More be pro-active in promoting democracy and so- be a single unbroken thread from the global than 300 union leaders representing 9 million cial justice in their region. He pointed to coun- to the local. To succeed, we must combine educators in 37 countries attended the meet- tries in Central Asia where, during the harvest ideas with actions at each of these levels.” ing. On the last day a Regional Committee was season, teachers are forced to send children elected for the next four years with Yuzuru Na- into the cotton fields. Participants of the conference endorsed a kamura of NIKKYOSO/Japan as its President. recommendation by the Asia-Pacific Women’s “We expect our member organizations to Caucus for a range of activities to be un- There were concerns expressed about the speak out against this intolerable practice,” dertaken by EI to help remove obstacles to quality of public education services, a decline he said. “I am fully aware of the risks involved the gender inequity which is still rampant in school enrolment, especially of girls, and in confronting authoritarian governments, throughout the region. They also endorsed a an increase of child labour in low-income but frankly, our moral and democratic duty as proposal by the higher education unions to countries. independent education unions leave us no pay more attention to their sector’s vital role choice but to challenge any public authority in advancing socio-economic developments It was felt that the drying up of development or private enterprise that denies a child his or of the region. III funds would jeopardize the achievement of her basic right to education.” the United Nations Millennium Development Goals to end poverty by 2015: “If we want to achieve education for all children in the coming six years, governments will have to redouble their efforts and drastically increase investments in our school systems,” said a representative from India.

The Asian-Pacific education unions are also troubled by the lack of respect some govern- ments show for international human and trade union rights standards:

In Fiji, where the military government had a teacher leader dismissed for advocating a re- turn to democratic rule; in Korea, where teach- ers have been laid off for protesting against the introduction of standardized tests; and in other places, such as Cambodia and Taiwan, where public authorities do not fully respect © K.M. A sad teachers professional freedoms and collective Photographer K.M. Asad won the 2009 photo of the year competition on the trade union bargaining rights. Special attention was given website Labour Start with this searing shot of a young boy working under dangerous con- to the situation in Myanmar where education ditions in the ship-building industry in Bangladesh. 24 EI Worlds of Education n° 32 / December 2009

More good news

A big step forward for Early Childhood Education in Germany

For pre-school children in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate in southwest Germany, 1 September 2009 was a historic day. Since that day, children aged 3-6 have been entitled to free pre-school education – a first in the entire country.

In Germany, education policy is the respon- sibility of the different states, or Länder. In some states – Berlin, Saarland and Lower Saxony, for example – only the year before primary school is free. But in other states fees vary widely and can be as high as €5,000 per school year. And while politi- cians at both state and federal levels are quick to pay lip service to the importance of Early Childhood Education, little has been done to redress the social injustices that result from these financial burdens.

Gewerkschaft Erziehung und Wissenschaft (GEW), one of the German national teach- ers’ unions, has long been calling for a more inclusive approach to pre-school educa- tion, highlighting the benefits for individual n g R hei la d -P falz taatszeitu children and society as a whole. “Children from low-income families benefit over-pro-

portionally from attendance in kindergarten Sä mmer /S © for longer than one year. Especially delays Under the aegis of minister of education Doris Ahnen (in the middle), Rhineland-Palatinate in speech development can be eliminated is the first German state to offer free early childhood education from the age of three. almost entirely,” according to a research paper published on GEW’s website.

In this context, Rhineland-Palatinate’s important for the development of children on will really ease the burden on the family achievement is all the more welcome. State – as important, in fact, as the time in school purse.” coffers will provide an additional 85 million later on. In the long term, that is why we Euro this year to enable all 3- to 6-year-olds can’t afford to treat this area of education EI has been calling for an intensification of to go to pre-school free of charge. Begin- worse than the rest.” public spending in the education sector, ning in August 2010, 2-year-olds will also especially during this time of crisis, and ex- benefit from free access to kindergarten. Parents are grateful to be able to send their amples like Rhineland-Palatinate show the children to kindergarten earlier and at much benefits of those investments and the great Doris Ahnen, Rhineland-Palatinate’s minis- lower cost. A mother told SWR radio: “It’s improvement they can bring for teachers, ter of Education, told ARD television: “The great – I have two children in kindergarten, parents and children alike. III time before primary school is especially and having to pay only for lunch from now EI Worlds of Education n° 32 / December 2009 25 Quality teacher training spells success for Finnish students

By Ritva Semi

In recent years, Finland has been consistently ranked at the top of the OECD’s PISA surveys. The Trade Union of Education in Finland (OAJ) is often asked: How do you do it? What’s the secret to your success?

A long tradition of high-quality teacher training is regarded as an essential factor in the success of the Finnish public education system. Primary school teachers have been undergoing Master’s-level university training since the 1970s.

The success of young Finns in their studies is based on well-trained university-educated teachers, according to Erkki Kangasniemi,

chairman of the OAJ. © OAJ Finnish teachers must undergo extensive training up to the Master’s level and, once they The high-level academic teacher training has are on the job, they can count on small average class sizes and well-equipped classrooms. also made the profession more attractive. About 95% of Finnish teachers are unionised. Finnish teachers must have passed rigorous entrance examinations by the time they begin turns seven. The requirements are the same “Unfortunately, not all decision makers have yet their studies. In fact, only about 11 per cent of for all children in comprehensive school, after realised that small children, too, need optimally students applying for primary school teacher which they choose either upper-secondary educated teachers.” training are admitted, says Kangasniemi, or vocational education — or even both pointing out that there is not a similar flood simultaneously. The comprehensive-school reform and the of applicants in all sectors of teaching. reorganisation of teacher education coincided University-level teacher education is with OAJ’s emergence as the general teaching The reorganisation of teacher education based on solid pedagogic knowledge union. It now represents all sectors, from 30 years ago was closely connected with and proficiency in the subject areas to be kindergarten teachers to university lecturers. a reform of the whole Finnish educational taught. All primary school teacher trainees Ninety-five per cent of Finnish teachers are system. The 1970s saw the transition from also engage in research, which supports union members. a system of parallel schools to a system of them throughout their careers in terms of uniform comprehensive public education, in their pedagogical thinking and professional OAJ is constantly engaged in close interaction which every student completes at least nine development. with the universities with a view to continual years of basic schooling. improvement of teacher education. In this work, Since 1995, the training of kindergarten teacher-education students, who through their During those years, students enjoy relatively teachers working with children between own association are members of the OAJ, are small class sizes. On average, there are the ages of one and six has been based an important source of support and energy, 20 children per class in Grades 1-6 and 18 on university-level Bachelor of Education both in the classroom and the union. children in Grades 7-9. However, these are studies. Previously they were trained at only averages, and some classes as large as polytechnics. A former pre-school teacher, Ritva Semi has 36 pupils do exist. been an active teacher trade unionist since It is one of OAJ’s challenges to raise the 1984, when Finnish teachers went out on an From the international perspective, education of kindergarten teachers to the historic strike. She currently works on education compulsory school attendance in Finland Master’s-degree level. “A lot remains to be issues and development cooperation for the starts rather late: not until the year the child done in this respect,” says Kangasniemi. OAJ. III 26 EI Worlds of Education n° 32 / December 2009 “Stand Up, Take Action, End Poverty Now!”

Global Call to Action Against Poverty sets new world record for largest mobilisation in history

A Guinness World Record was shattered achieving the Millennium Development grass roots movement from remote areas in October when 173,045,325 citizens Goals,” said Salil Shetty, Director of the and cities in so many countries, both rich gathered at over 3,000 events in more United Nations Millennium Campaign. and poor.” than 120 countries, demanding that their “In particular, we have seen citizens deter- “These are the voices of young people, governments eradicate extreme poverty mined to show their governments that they women and men demanding the eradica- and achieve the Millennium Development will hold them accountable for keeping tion of poverty, and new answers to the Goals (MDGs). their promises to end hunger, improve ma- food, economic and climate crises. We will “Stand Up, Take Action, End Poverty Now!” ternal health and abolish trade-distorting carry this overwhelming message forward has been certified by Guinness World agricultural subsidies. They will not ac- in the weeks and months ahead to influ- Records as the largest mobilization of cept excuses for breaking promises to ence both the Copenhagen climate discus- human beings in recorded history, an in- the world’s poorest and most vulnerable sions and next year’s MDG review.” crease of about 57 million people over last people, who have already been hardest hit year. by the global food, economic and climate GCAP reminds leaders that currently 1 bil- crises they had no role in causing.” lion people around the world are hungry “The more than 173 million people who Sylvia Borren, co-chair of the Global Call and 500,000 women continue to die annu- mobilized sent a clear message to world to Action Against Poverty (GCAP), said: ally as the result of pregnancy and child- leaders that there is massive, universal, “Stand Up is proven to be a growing glo- birth. The vast majority of these deaths are global demand for eradicating poverty and bal mobilization, as well as an ongoing preventable. III

President of GCE honoured as Defender of Democracy

Kailash Satyarthi, President of EI’s partner March’s World Cup Campaign, convincing Education is the key to power, justice and organisation the Global Campaign for Edu- the Federation Internationale de Football equity. Education is fundamental to ef- cation, has been named by the Parliamen- Association (FIFA) to agree to the elimina- fective democracy and transparency in tarians for Global Action as the recipient tion of child labour in the manufacture of global governance. Education for all is the of the prestigious Defender of Democracy soccer balls. pre-requisite to democratize social, politi- Award for 2009. cal and financial institutions. Two and a Below are some excerpts from his accept- half days of military expenditure is enough Mr. Satyarthi, who is also the Chairperson ance speech: to educate the world’s children, or 1/6th of the Global March Against Child Labour, Let me remind you that besides the of what Europeans spend on cosmetics. gave up a lucrative career as a technical conventional economic exploitation of Education for all our children requires $11 engineer to work for children’s rights. For children, violence occurs in various forms. billion. Is the world really so poor? … nearly three decades, he has campaigned More than two million children are esti- If we fail our children today, we fail our courageously to end child labour in his mated to have died as a result of armed future forever. If we break our promises to home country of India and around the conflict since 1990. One million children them, history will not forgive us. We need world, rescuing more than 78,000 bonded are detained by law enforcement officials governments, and we need intergovern- and child labourers. worldwide. Two million children are be- mental bodies too. But what we really need lieved to be exploited through prostitution is a strong global movement to hold these He is also the creator of the Rugmark label; and pornography and 70 million girls and institutions accountable and challenge the universally recognized symbol that women have been subjected to genital their conscience. We must make exploita- certifies rugs as having been made with- mutilation. More than 1.2 million children tion and violence against children history out the use of exploitative child labour. are trafficked every year and bought and in our life time. III Mr. Satyarthi also launched the Global sold for a price lesser than cattle. EI Worlds of Education n° 32 / December 2009 27

Human and trade union rights

International solidarity helps free activists in Turkey and Iran

Thanks to tremendous to quality secular public education for all and mobilisation and solidarity actions the right to education in the mother tongue worldwide, numerous Turkish and not only of Kurdish, but of all ethnic minority Iranian teacher trade unionists communities in Turkey. have been released from prison In Iran, Mohammad-Reza Rezaie-Garakani since their stories were last was freed on 21 October and Sajad Khaksari, reported in Worlds of Education. son of two leading teacher trade unionists, was freed on 24 October, 2009. Both are still “They are free! Egitim-Sen would like to thank awaiting trial. you for your strong support. This is the suc- cess of international solidarity,” Mehmet

However, teachers Rasoul Bodaghi, Jaafar © GEW Bozgeyik, General Secretary of the Turkish Ebrahim and Farzad Kamangar all remain in teacher union, wrote to EI. detention in Evin Prison. While Kamangar’s had, where he has been refused medical physical and psychological conditions have treatment despite suffering kidney disease. After two long days of court hearings on 19-20 improved somewhat, Ebrahimi suffers several November, the High Penalty Court in Izmir serious health problems and his relatives are EI and the international trade union move- decided to release all of the 31 public sector not allowed to visit him in prison. Hashem ment welcome the release of detainees, but unionists who were tried for belonging to an Khastar, a retired teacher and a trade union will monitor the situation in both countries illegal Kurdish organisation. All defendants activist, is still in Wakilabad prison in Mash- closely. III were either Kurdish or have links to the Kurd- ish community. Filipino principal beheaded Both Egitim-Sen and the public sector union KESK have been targeted because they were Teacher unions around the world have con- Van Leeuwen vowed that EI will monitor gaining new members and strength in the demned the kidnapping and brutal murder of events closely and will hold the Philippine au- context of the economic crisis. “The purpose an elementary school principal in the Philip- thorities to account for its prosecution of the of the trial was to isolate us from other labour pines. Canizares case and for significant improve- and democratic mass organisations and to ments to the human and trade union rights marginalize our confederation in its struggle The severed head of Gabriel Canizares, 36, situation in that country. He noted that EI has for labour [rights] and democracy,” said Sami principal of Kanague Elementary School long been concerned about the flagrant rights Evren, President of KESK. in Patikul, Sulu, Philippines, was found violations under the government of Philip- on 9 November. His body was recovered pines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. EI Executive Board member Jerry Bartlett, who several days later. He had been kidnapped was part of an international trade union del- by armed men on 19 October and held for In 2007, delegates at the 5th EI World Con- egation that witnessed the trial, said the ar- ransom. gress called on the Arroyo government to rests came as a result of months of telephone “immediately put a stop to extrajudicial wire tapping, email and internet surveillance. EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen ex- killings and involuntary disappearances; He said there was not a shred of evidence of- pressed the shock and outrage of teachers investigate, prosecute, and punish those re- fered to support the charges of belonging to and trade unionists everywhere. “We are sponsible for these acts; and ensure that its an unlawful organisation. appalled to learn of this atrocious murder security forces respect the human rights and of a dedicated educator,” he said. “And we civil liberties of citizens.” By contrast, he said, the EI delegation was demand in the strongest terms possible In 2008, EI set up a Trade Union Rights impressed by the tremendous integrity and that the government of the Philippines act Network in ASEAN countries to help teacher conviction of the teachers, who are committed quickly and boldly to bring the perpetrators organisations unite against such violations to justice.” (see page 14). III Couper du texte ce qui dépasse…

28 EI Worlds of Education n° 32 / December 2009 Teacher unions balance HIV prevention and treatment in AIDS response

By Julie Kavanagh © N A TU

Members of EI affiliate in Namibia, NANTU, get their HIV-status tested.

In 2006 governments worldwide committed enhancing social protection for people af- kept pace with scientific progress; indeed, to achieving universal access to compre- fected by HIV. stigma and discrimination can hinder scien- hensive prevention programmes, treatment, Education International sees education as a tific advances. This point was highlighted by care and support on HIV and AIDS by 2010. kind of “social vaccine.” Learning about HIV Françoise Barré-Sinoussi who, together with With current access to anti-retroviral treat- prevention and behaviour change can trans- Luc Montagnier won the 2008 Nobel Prize ment meeting only half the needs and with form the negative impact of HIV and AIDS in Medicine for first identifying the human five new infections for every two people who globally. Equally, EI recognises the need to immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the 1980s. start treatment, greater investment backed support teachers who are living with HIV so Speaking in Brussels in October 2009, by strong strategies is a must. they have access to treatment and can con- Barré-Sinoussi asserted that quick testing Teacher unions in EI’s EFAIDS Programme tinue to contribute to the education sector complemented by quick treatment are key to work in four of the priority areas highlighted without fear of discrimination. effective treatment for HIV. by UNAIDS; ensuring people living with HIV With effective and sustained anti-retroviral Eager to tackle HIV on many levels, unions receive treatment, ending punitive practices therapy, those living with HIV can enjoy life engaged in the EFAIDS Programme are work- and discrimination, empowering young expectancies similar to those uninfected by ing to break down stigma associated with people to protect themselves from HIV, and the virus. However, social change has not testing and broaden access to treatment. The Couper du texte ce qui dépasse…

EI Worlds of Education n° 32 / December 2009 29

Language of instruction

Namibian National Teachers’ Union (NANTU) estimates that more than 20,000 teachers English imposed have participated in regional Edusector Health Days where they can access voluntary counselling and testing, and receive reliable on Rwandan schools information on HIV and AIDS. In 2009 the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) stepped up its HIV-testing campaign, urging its members: “Know your By Delphine Sanglan sero-status.” The UNATU National Secretariat is building a resource database to link teach- At the end of last year, the Rwandan about its impact on the quality of teaching in ers with testing services and counsellors government decided to impose English as Rwanda, as Francophone teachers will need a nationwide. Further evidence of union com- the single official language of education and great deal of time to attain sufficient mastery mitment to teacher wellbeing can be seen in government, without any public debate or of English to be able to teach it themselves. Buenos Aires, where the Argentinean teacher consultation with teaching unions. Since 1996 In this respect, the two months of intensive union confederation CTERA runs a dedicated all three official languages – Kinyarwandan, classes taken by some teachers shortly before HIV Testing and Counselling Centre. French and English, have been used in the introduction of the reform are far from To give teachers the best chance of staying education. The move is designed to allow sufficient. healthy, early testing must be backed up Rwanda to request membership in the “It takes several months or even years to learn by consistent access to effective treatment Commonwealth and to cut its ties with the a language well enough to use it in everyday programmes. In Uganda, where 1 in 5 people International Organization of la Francophonie. life, in addition to living in an environment know their status, less than half of those who English became Rwanda’s third official that requires the individual to speak only require treatment can get it. Cuts in funding language behind French and Kinyarwandan that language. However, that is not the case restrict supplies of antiretroviral medicines in 1996, following the return of 800,000 – in Rwanda, where French-speaking teachers and interrupt treatment, with serious health 850,000 Tutsis who had fled to bordering normally speak a mixture of Kinyarwandan implications. Unions are increasingly treating countries at the time of the 1994 genocide, and French. It is a real risk to try to learn a HIV and AIDS as a workplace issue and are primarily to Anglophone countries such as foreign language in a few hours of language developing policies and rolling out services Uganda and Tanzania, but also to Burundi and classes and to try to teach in that same to uphold their members’ rights to access the Democratic Republic of the Congo. French, language, as the teacher must be able to find treatment. III Kinyarwandan and English remained the three correct and varied words,” adds Sylvestre. official languages of Rwanda when the new However, these teachers must adapt because constitution was adopted in 2003. of the risk of losing their jobs, with the The decision of the government to favour resources available to them and without English over the other two official languages adapted teaching material. Spread the word, was introduced at the start of the new If, as expected, the decision unilaterally taken not the virus! school term in January 2009. Meanwhile, by the Rwandan government has a disastrous the teaching of English as a subject will be effect on the quality of education, the “One Hour on AIDS,” the popular lesson enforced across the board in 2011, with situation could be worsened by the parents plan of the EFAIDS Programme, goes from French being consigned to the second cycle of of Francophone pupils, who will no longer be strength to strength. Thanks to the enthu- secondary school, and a reduced number of able to support their children with homework siasm of teacher unions, it has now been hours taught. they cannot understand. This rushed reform translated into more than 30 languages However, according to Sylvestre Vuguziga, has even prompted some wealthier parents from A to Z: Arabic to Zulu, that is, with President of the Syndicat des personnels to send their children to Ugandan schools Hindi, Shona, Yoruba and many others in de l’enseignement du Rwanda (SYPERWA), so that they can take classes taught in a less between. “Ninety-eight percent of teachers in the ‘broken’ English. By using “One Hour on AIDS” and other country are French-speaking, and union Sylvestre concludes: “We can only hope EFAIDS resources in classrooms and staff- members are almost all French-speaking.” that logic and reason will prevail, leading rooms around the world, teachers can Outside the union, very few teachers have to a progressive reform of education. indeed spread the word, not the virus, and a good command of English and many are Unfortunately, damage done to education is make a real difference in HIV prevention. nowhere near ready to teach in the language irreparable and even has long-term effects on Visit www.ei-ie.org/efaids to download of Shakespeare. the following generations, as culture is passed “One Hour on AIDS” and more EFAIDS re- Six months after the imposition of the reform, down from one generation to the next.” III sources. the President of SYPERWA is still concerned 30 EI Worlds of Education n° 32 / December 2009

Technology in education

Organise your union work on the road, on the net

By Harold Tor and Timo Linsenmaier

place to place, leaving you with more time sues they care about. To enhance the alviato for other work. information provided, videos and photos can really help bring home the message. A

S M arcia Talk to your union good smart phone will enable you to take by colleagues for free videos and photos of reasonable quality, but swift uploads to the various video and Many of us know that Skype is a common photo hosting services are still problem- voice-over-internet programme (VOIP) that atic. The iPhone 3GS has an app for direct allows you to make free phone calls through video upload to YouTube (a popular free the internet. For unionists living under op- video hosting service) and an app for pressive regimes, Skype can even be their direct photo upload to Flickr (a popular

M arch , photography avid lifeline because mobile phone conversa- free photo hosting service), but its 3.2mp D

by tions or text messages could be tapped. camera has no flash and functions poorly Some newer phone models like the iPhone in low-light conditions. The Samsung Jet 3GS or HTC’s Android phones let you install S8000 boasts being the fastest phone and use Skype for phone conversations. ever, and it does indeed allow you take © S culpture © to videos and photos of excellent quality Mobile phone subscriptions are already Connect with your members in 5mp. However its widget for photo and outgrowing classic landlines, which will on Facebook and Twitter video uploads is extremely sluggish. increase demand for access to the internet from hand-held devices in the future. For many teacher unions, social network- Create a union app as ing sites such as Facebook and Twitter are an extra service for your the essential tools for connecting with their membership There has been a lot of buzz about brows- members. While some unions choose to ing the web from hand-held devices since integrate them into the official union website If you have a developer in your union, ask reasonably fast standards for mobile data and others do not, these Web 2.0 tools have the person to develop an app as part of the transfer were developed in the early 2000s. become necessary modes of communication union’s services to its membership. You’d So we decided to test some “smart phones” with union members on a more personal be surprised how many members will use to see how these developments could help level. So far, only the high-end phones such it. The app can feature the latest updates, a teacher trade unionists. as iPhone 3GS, Blackberry Bold 9700, Nokia frequently-asked-questions section, direc- N97 and HTC Hero provide the best Facebook tory of union offices and contacts, union Video conferencing and Twitter “apps,” short for mobile ap- calendar and more. It could help attract on the go plications. The mid- and low-end ones from new members when they see the union Nokia, Samsung and LG only offer unman- being so efficient and proactive in serving As a teacher unionist, your agenda is always ageable “widgets,” which are actually links to its membership. packed with meetings and appointments. the mobile versions of these sites. Some models of smart phones, such as Lastly, we mustn’t forget that a smart the Nokia N97, have a small camera on the Take videos and photos and phone is after all still a phone, so you can screen side of the phone. It allows you to distribute them immediately also use it to call people! III conduct video conferencing provided that to your members you have a good 3G mobile phone con- nection. Being able to conduct a meeting Trade unionists have to constantly update means a lot of time saved on moving from members about the development of is- EI Worlds of Education n° 32 / December 2009 31

CALENDAR Labour united for decent work December 2009 Trade unionists around the world celebrated the second World 1 World AIDS Day – Worldwide Day for Decent Work on 7 October with round table discus- 1-3 3 4 th EI Executive Board meeting – EI, Brussels, Belgium sions, conferences, rallies, flash mob actions and more, all urging their leaders to heed the Call to Action for Decent Work 4 Meeting of Executive Board of Education and Solidarity Network – EI, Decent Life. Brussels, Belgium 2-5 WTO-GATS meeting – EI/Latin American Office, Uruguay Among the hundreds of events organised by the International African Women in Education Network Meeting – EI/African Office, Trade Union Confederation and its affiliates were: 7 Accra, Ghana

> Workers from countries across the Americas presented the 7-12 Education for All and AIDS (EFAIDS) meeting – EI, Abidjan, Ivory Coast Call to Action for Decent Work Decent Life to 33 Ministers of 9-11 UNESCO Working Group on Education for All – Paris, France Labour gathered in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

> Flash mob actions took place in 12 towns and cities in Hun- January 2010 gary to draw people’s attention to the dangers of precarious work. 19 Pan-European Equality Working Group – EI, Brussels, Belgium 25-26 Council of Global Unions annual meeting – Geneva, Switzerland > In Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, more than 2,000 union del- 27-31 World Economic Forum – Davos, Switzerland egates marched to the headquarters of the regional govern- ment and read out the Call to Action. February 2010 > In Copenhagen and Aarhus, Denmark, activists protested pay inequity between male and female academics by handing out 11-12 Higher Education and Research Standing Committee meeting – EI, Brussels, “gender equality-cakes” and posing the question: “ How big is Belgium your slice?”

EI supports this call from the ITUC for political leaders to put March 2010 decent work at the centre of government actions to bring back 1 54th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women meeting – economic growth and build a new global economy that puts New York, USA people first. 8 International Women’s Day – Worldwide

To learn more about the Decent Work campaign, 8-10 Conference for EI affiliates in OECD countries – New York, USA visit www.wddw.org 11-26 307th Session of the International Labour Organisation Governing Body – ILO, Geneva, Switzerland 15-16 Pan-European Committee meeting - EI, Brussels, Belgium We welcome your comments. Please write to [email protected].

Worlds of Education is published by Education International, the global union federation representing 30 million teachers and education workers from pre-school to university in more than 171 countries around the globe. Apart from the “Guest Speaker” section and unless otherwise To learn more about EI, go to: www.ei-ie.org. noted, the articles of this magazine are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Licence. This means you are free to copy, distribute and adapt the texts – as Education International Tel. : + 32 2 224 0611 long as you clearly attribute the source as “Worlds of Education 5 Boulevard du Roi Albert II Fax : + 32 2 224 0606 (ISSN 1810-5637)” and do not use them for commercial purposes. 1210, Brussels, Belgium Email : [email protected] For more details, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/. Editor responsible at law: Fred van Leeuwen, General Secretary For purposes exceeding this licence, please write to Editor: Nancy Knickerbocker [email protected]. Editorial assistants : Claude Carroué, Frédérik Destrée

ISSN: 1810-5637 Printed on recycled paper P ress / A ssociated © REPORTERS

Nanjing, China: Primary school students paste red ribbons to mark World AIDS Day