Teachers are widely viewed as a powerful interest group through their participation in trade unions. A recent example of this force is the clash between teachers' unions and governments over the resumption of in-person learning during a global pandemic. However, even before this unprecedented crisis, academics and policymakers have recognized that teachers' unions have significant influence on education policy, including influencing reforms to the scale and scope of non-state actors in education. There was broad agreement between the parties.
The 2024/5 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) report examines leadership in education, examines the vision and goals that drive it, and identifies how leadership is demonstrated and what practices lead to better educational outcomes. Find out how to contribute. The report is aimed at education leaders at three levels: institutional level (schools, kindergartens, technical and vocational schools, universities, adult education centres), education system level and outside the education system level.
Consultations with representatives from national teachers' organizations will seek to gain influence and leadership on a number of topics, from defending working conditions and scrutinizing reforms to efforts to play a stronger role in setting the national policy agenda. We will explore the role of unions in achieving this goal. The dialogue will also highlight examples of how trade unions have contributed to change in education and to achieving the necessary conditions (openness, transparency and accountability) to influence policy change.
The objectives of the consultation include:
- Share the GEM Report team's early thinking in preparation for the 2024 GEM Report
- Learn from experts about the role of teachers in politics and policy around the world, including examples from Finland and Indonesia.
- It will provide a space for participants to share their experiences, including challenges in contributing to policy debates, and identify examples of trade union influence at national, regional and international levels.
format:
The session will be held in three parts. The first segment will include a presentation of the 2024 report focusing on the role and influence of trade unions, followed by a presentation by representatives from Education International, Finnish education experts (trade unions influence policy reform) A panel discussion with representatives of the RISE project will take place. (They conducted a recent study on the influence of teachers unions on policy reform).
In the third segment, participants can answer the following questions and share their observations and experiences from their own perspectives/experiences regarding teachers unions in action.
- Do you have any experience of the interests and activities of teachers' organizations shaping educational reform in your country?
- What challenges are hampering the ability of trade unions to contribute to policy dialogue at national, regional and international levels?
Confirmed speakers:
christopher chambers juUniversity of Texas, arlington
Pasi SahlbergUniversity of Melbourne
representativeEducation International
priya girl, GEM Report Chief Researcher (Moderator)