The 10th Education International (EI) World Congress, held from July 26 to August 2, 2024, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, convened over 1,200 delegates from 150 countries. This quadrennial event, which serves as the supreme governing body of the global union federation, represents more than 32 million teachers and education workers worldwide.
Check out EI President Susan Hopgood opening the 10th EI World Congress.
The 10th Education International (EI) World Congress held particular importance for Argentine teacher unions, given the severe budget cuts to public education and social services imposed by the newly elected right-wing government. With Argentina facing an economic crisis and drastic reductions in public spending, the timing of the congress heightened the urgency of the unions’ demands. It served as a vital platform for unions like CTERA (Confederación de Trabajadores de la Educación de la República Argentina) and UDA (Unión de Docentes Argentinos) to voice their concerns on the global stage.
Global union movement rallied in support of the world’s educators.
The “Go Public! Fund Education” campaign, spotlighted at the 10th Education International (EI) World Congress, underscores the urgent need for increased public investment in education. This call to action addresses the global crises educators face, including widespread teacher shortages, inadequate salaries, and deteriorating working conditions. The campaign advocates for governments to prioritize funding in education systems to ensure fair compensation, manageable workloads, and better support for teachers worldwide.
The campaign demands fair pay, manageable workloads, and respect for teachers’ professional expertise. It also pushes for educators to be central in decision-making processes, emphasizing the need for public education systems that are well-funded and equitable.
The interim report prepared by Professor Howard Stevenson, Maria Antonietta Vega Castillo, Dr. Melanie Bhend, and Vasiliki-Eleni Selechopoulou from the University of Nottingham provides a comprehensive analysis of the global challenges facing universities and higher education institutions.
The report highlights the increasing vulnerability of universities in the face of economic, political, and social crises, collectively called a “polycrisis.” Notably, the climate crisis, financial instability, and austerity measures since 2008 have led to underfunding, job insecurity, and low staff morale.
Furthermore, the report discusses the disparity in funding between the Global North and South, with performance-based funding models creating further inequalities. Economic instability has exacerbated wage disparities, particularly in the Global South, while precarious employment remains a widespread problem. The rapid growth of digital technologies, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, has accelerated the commercialization of higher education, raising concerns about academic freedom and intellectual property rights.
The report explores the role of the Committee of Experts on the Application of the Recommendations concerning Teaching Personnel (CEART) as a platform for addressing academic rights violations while acknowledging its limited capacity to enforce compliance. It recommends that union members make better use of CEART to more effectively protect academic workers’ rights and bolster union campaigns.
Professor Howard Stevenson gave a video presentation on the interim report addressing the global challenges faced by universities and higher education institutions.
In light of the escalating geopolitical conflicts in regions like Palestine and Ukraine, the Congress concluded with significant resolutions centred on peacebuilding and the protection of schools, teachers, and students. However, during the debate of a resolution calling for immediate action on the starvation crisis in Gaza following the Rafah ground invasion, tensions arose. Israeli teacher unionists, in protest, raised the Israeli flag to oppose the resolution, creating a notable disruption during the proceedings. Despite the interruption, the delegates proceeded with the vote. The resolution passed with overwhelming support, reflecting strong international solidarity with the Palestinian cause. The near-unanimous vote underscored the global education community’s shared concern about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Israeli teacher unionists hold the Israeli flag during a debate on a resolution proposed by a coalition of unions from Lebanon, Iraq, Morocco, Palestine, Tunisia, and others urging immediate action on the Gaza starvation crisis after the Rafah ground invasion.
GERAK’s representative (Ngo Sheau Shi) showing solidarity with the General Union of Palestinian Teachers (Saed Erziqat)
GERAK’s representative (third left) stands in solidarity with Teacher France Castro, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, and all human rights activists in the Philippines
Malaysian delegation: Azmi bin Ahmad Sapian (NUTP), Fouzi bin Singon (NUTP), Ngo Sheau Shi (GERAK), and Aminuddin bin Awang (NUTP).