Project Introduction

In Europe’s increasingly diverse societies, it is vital to ensure equality and inclusion in education. The need to embrace diversity in education is getting ever more political attention at European level. However, ETUCE research shows that teachers and other education personnel do not feel prepared and supported to teach students from diverse socioeconomic, cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

These doubts often stem from the lack of relevant and practical teacher training on how to create inclusive teaching and learning environments. Education personnel and school leaders also face a lack of support for inclusion, such as teaching assistants or intercultural mediators. Other challenges highlighted by education personnel include excessive workloads, rigid curricula, the lack of sustainable policy frameworks to encourage and support the practical implementation of initiatives, and the backlog in implementing already existing recommendations.

To address these issues, ETUCE has launched the project “Education Trade Unions and Inclusive Schools: Embracing Diversity in Education”. Education trade unions are working together to ensure that teachers, academics and other education personnel are adequately prepared and supported in dealing with diverse classrooms and implementing inclusive education. This requires relevant initial and continuous teacher training, as well as the provision of the necessary support in their everyday work.

This two-year project (December 2019-November 2021) continues and builds on the work that ETUCE and member organisations have already achieved in the field. By developing effective and practical strategies for inclusive schools and supporting national initiatives, ETUCE seeks to promote concrete measures which implement the upcoming ETUCE Action Plan on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at national and local level. The ultimate goal is to work with education personnel and their unions to embrace diversity in education and enhance equality and inclusion.