| Summary:
Strong participation
in EI’s First World Round Table on VET
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Vol
7 N°4 March - April 2000
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| Summary:
Strong participation
in EI’s First World Round Table on VET
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From 3 to 9 April 2000, the Global Campaign for Education
organised activities
More than 100 Education International member unions took part in this unprecedented worldwide movement to promote Education for All, sending a powerful message to the World Education Forum in Dakar. A special report will soon be sent to all affiliates. Information (press release, country reports, etc) is already available on EI’s website at http://www.ei-ie.org and on the Campaign site at http://www.campaignforeducation.org |
| Strong participation in EI’s First World Round Table on VET |
From 1 to 3 March 2000, about 80 representatives of EI member unions in some 50 countries from all continents met in Brussels (Belgium) to discuss vocational education and training (VET). The Round Table participants heard presentations on ‘Present trends and developments within Vocational Education and Training’ by Mohan I. R. Perera, (Section for Technical and Vocational Education, UNESCO); ‘Partnerships between vocational teachers and their unions, government, industry and trade unions in the development and implementation of education reforms in the vocational education and training sector’ by Chiel Renique, (Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers (VNO-NCW) and the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD (BIAC) expert group on education and training) and Joe-A. K. Frempong, (Ghana National Association of Teachers); ‘Funding of Vocational Education and Training’ by Paul Cole, (American Federation of Teachers ); ‘Financing of lifelong learning – an OECD Perspective’ by Bob Harris, (the Trade Union Advisory Committee’s (TUAC/OECD) Working Group on Education, Training and Employment) and ‘ILO’s work on vocational education and training - preparations for the ILO Conference, June 2000” by Mr. Alfthan (International Labour Organisation) and Dwight Justice (International Confederation of Free Trade Unions - ICFTU).
The debates (in plenaries and workshops) focused on partnership in vocational education and training, and how to finance VET. The participants also discussed how EI’s work in this field should continue.
In his report to the Round Table, the General Rapporteur of the conference, Rex Hewitt (Australian Education Union) recommended EI member organisations to seek to influence governments: 1) to commit themselves to a system of quality vocational education and training at all levels and 2) to guarantee sufficient funding for quality vocational education and training for all. He also suggested that EI should develop contacts and closer working relationships with UNESCO, ILO, the World Bank, OECD and other relevant international institutions. Of special importance is the further development of co-operation with ICFTU in the area of vocational education and training. It is also crucial to further develop different types of alliances (including with international employer organisations).
Finally, the participants suggested that EI should organise, during the period 2001-2003, a second World Round Table on vocational education and training.
| REGIONS |
Africa
Lusophone Workshop on Unions, Education Reforms and Structural Adjustment
From 28 February to 8 March 2000, some 18 representatives of EI affiliates from Portuguese speaking Africa convened in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique. The focus of the discussion was on two main topics: the functioning of the teachers unions, their management and policies and secondly (6-8 March), the response of the trade unions to education reforms and structural adjustment policies.
The organisations from Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and Sao Tome & Principe share a common history. Quite unprepared these countries were plunged into independence from Portugal in 1975. Long, bloody wars affected three out of these five countries, which are among to the world’s poorest nations.
Amidst all these setbacks, the teachers unions seek to take up their role in defending the interests of the teachers. Organising the teachers is one of the major priorities. But, as the unions indicated, there is little tradition to unionize, the teachers are hesitant in contributing membership dues and the geographical conditions of most of these countries are not very favorable. The vastness of Angola and Mozambique and the 10 islands of Cape Verde require great efforts from the trade unionists. The organisational problems that were identified are considerable. The discussion focused on the policy priorities that have to be set, given the limited means available to the unions. This often requires difficult decisions to be taken.
This meeting of the Lusophone countries in Africa was the first one
ever. It provided the participants with a forum to share experiences and
seek ways in which to improve the quality of the union. Follow up will
take place at national level.
Europe
EI/Europe Round Table on Quality of Education
The first EI European round table on quality of education was scheduled
for 8 and 9 May 2000 in London (UK). The main themes for debate are: ‘Present
trends and developments related to quality of education’, ‘Quality indicators’,
‘Quality: a matter of resources, teacher skills or school climate?’, ‘What
role can teacher unions play in promoting Public Quality Education for
All?’. Each thematic presentation will be followed by questions and discussions,
group work, and reports to the plenary, which will end with the adoption
of final conclusions of the Round Table. Some 70 participants were expected
to attend.
The fourth edition of Key data on education in Europe, 1999-2000 covers 29 countries
Providing a comparative view of the evolution of European education in recent years, the new indicators of Key Data reveal, among other things, that ‘education is entering the information and communication age’, ‘pre-primary education is becoming more professional’, ‘student mobility is limited but on the increase’, and that ‘one EU teacher in five is nearing retirement’. Prepared through cooperation between the Education and Culture Directorate-General (former DG XXII), Eurostat and Eurydice, the report states that one of the main challenges facing education in coming years will be the renewal of a large part of the teaching profession. For the 1996/97 school year, there were 4.5 million primary and secondary teachers and just over 83 million schoolchildren and students (22% of the total population) in the European Union.
Key data on education in Europe 1999-2000,
European Commission, 292 pages. Price: 28 euros. Also available in French
Les chiffres clés de l’éducation en Europe and German Schlüsselzahlen
zum Bildungswesen in Europa from EurOp and its national sales points. Information:
http://www.eurydice.org
| EDUCATION |
Lifelong learning in the twenty-first century: The changing roles of educational personnel
An EI delegation took part in a joint International Labour Organisation meeting held 10-14 April 2000 in Geneva (Switzerland). Representatives of governments and private sector employers were also present to examine the changing roles of educational personnel in the framework of lifelong learning in the twenty-first century. Teachers’ responsibilities, in-service training, financing and partnerships were some of the topics on the agenda. Conclusions of the joint meeting and a resolution from the workers’ group will be forwarded to the ILO Executive Board. The conclusions reaffirm that education is a basic human right and that lifelong learning is essential for social cohesion and sustainable development of societies. The governments’ responsibility for education financing was emphasised with a target of 6% of GNP to be dedicated to education.
An ILO report* (prepared for the occasion) characterises lifelong learning as ‘a survival issue’ and predicts that ‘the importance for persons to continue learning throughout their active working life, and beyond, will increasingly move to the top of individual, national and international agendas in the future.’ To back changes needed in the education profession, the report contends that a crucial component of new systems will be ‘a lifetime learning system for administrators, educators and support personnel in which they themselves are enthusiastic and active participants.’ Participants in the meeting stressed the importance for teachers to obtain the highest qualifications possible. More information in the June 2000 EI Magazine and on the ILO web site.
* Lifelong learning in the twenty-first century:
The changing roles of educational personnel, 118 pages, ISBN 92-2111995-5,
price: 20 Swiss francs. Also available in French and Spanish at usual sales
agents. More information at: http://www.ilo.org/public/english/dialogue/sector/techmeet/jmep2000/index.htm
| HUMAN RIGHTS |
6th World Conference on Education for Peace to convene in July 2000
The International Association of Educators for Peace (IAEP) is organising
its 6th World Conference from 8 to 13 July in UNESCO Paris (8 July) and
Marly-le-Roi (France). The general theme for the 2000 conference is For
the development of a Culture of Peace, for greater world justice, solidarity
and democracy. International solidarity, educational challenges, local
and global citizenship, and the individual’s right to peace and justice
will be among the themes debated in round tables to be held every morning.
Participants can also register (now) to present and moderate workshops
(in English, French or Spanish) on related topics; Education International
will discuss the trade unions’ role. Social and cultural activities (concert
by the Brittany Philharmonic Orchestra at UNESCO, dance in the streets
of Paris, visits, sightseeing journeys) have been planned. Early registration
is strongly recommended (...and more economical). For further information
on the IAEP and the conference, visit the Association’s trilingual web
site http://perso/infonie.fr/iaep or contact the organising committee:
CPCIEP, 1 place Valhubert (salle 233), 75013 Paris, France.
Tel/Fax: +33 1 45 83 26 10. E-mail: iaep@infonie.fr
| BITS & BITES |