Click here to view this email in your browser.

Dear reader,

Welcome to this latest edition of our In Focus newsletter. As you read these stories, you will see that solidarity is at the core of our work. Wherever the need arose, education unionists were there to lend support, to stand for the fundamental right to education, for trade union rights, for democracy, and freedom.

We were also there to support some of our most amazing and inspiring colleagues - teachers in emergency contexts. In February, Education International brought the voice of teachers to the High-Level Financing Conference of Education Cannot Wait, the United Nations global fund for education in emergencies.

One of the highlights of the Conference was the intervention of Aloyo Stella Oryang, a refugee teacher in Uganda and the guest writer in the spotlight this month. Read her powerful story, watch the speech that received a standing ovation, and join us in calling on all governments to invest in education in emergencies and the teachers that make it happen.

Read on to discover the stories of the month and don’t hesitate to share them in your network.

In solidarity,
David Edwards
General Secretary | Education International

Portugal: Massive demonstration demands respect for the teaching profession

A hundred and fifty thousand teachers joined in a demonstration led by education unions in Lisbon demanding respect for the teaching profession.

Read more

Türkiye: Solidarity is in unions’ DNA

In the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes that hit Southern Türkiye and Northern Syria on 6th February 2023, Education International has launched an urgent action appeal to respond to the impacts of this disaster and support affected educators, students and population.

Read more

Education International launches Afghan Teachers’ Rights Observatory to elevate the voice of teachers and defend the right to education

The Observatory will gather data and testimonies on rights’ violations, amplify the voice of Afghan teachers, and work to restore girls’ right to education.

Read more

One year of solidarity with our colleagues, students, and all people of Ukraine

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, Education International launched an urgent action appeal calling on all member organisations to stand with and support our colleagues in Ukraine. Education unions from across the world responded. One year on, our solidarity is unwavering.

Read more

Eswatini: Murders and harassment of trade union leaders must cease immediately!

Education International denounces the continuous attacks on trade union leaders in Eswatini and condemns the targeting of Mbongwa Dlamini, President of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers.

Read more

Uruguay: Trade unions denounce espionage of teachers and students

Fenapes, an education union affiliated to Education International, has denounced the practice of spying on union members and school pupils, as revealed by an investigative journalism report.

Read more

Malawi: Education union action rescues children from forced labour and keeps them in schools

Education International member organisations in Malawi were able to bring over 1,000 children back to school and prevent 1,200 others from dropping out.

Read more

Teacher-Led Learning Circles on Formative Assessments: Supporting teachers’ professional development and leadership around the globe

The project aims to provide teachers with tools and support to identify and establish effective teacher-led formative assessment practices that can be disseminated within and across education unions.

Read more

In the spotlight

Overwhelmed, undervalued, and underpaid: Governments must act to support teachers in contexts of displacement

- by Aloyo Stella Oryang

"As is the case for many other teachers in emergency situations, the salary I receive does not match my workload and is not enough to cover basic costs. Worse still, it’s often not paid on time."