Celebrating the International Day of Education: A Call to Action for the Teaching Profession

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The International Day of Education, celebrated on January 24th, serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative role education plays in fostering peace and sustainable development. This year, we reaffirm the need for inclusive, equitable, and high-quality education as a foundation for building resilient and prosperous societies. For ETUCE, this day highlights the importance of empowering the teaching profession through better working conditions, stronger professional autonomy, and increased respect for teachers’ vital contributions to society.

Throughout 2024, ETUCE has championed initiatives to improve the teaching profession in Europe, focusing on key aspects of our #MakeTeachingAttractive campaign. These include advocating for competitive salaries, quality professional development, work-life balance, and equality in the workplace. Our efforts reflect our deep commitment to ensuring that teaching remains an attractive and respected profession in the face of evolving challenges in education.

 Launching the Global Status of Teachers Report

On this important day, Education International (EI) will launch its latest Global Status of Teachers report, marking the two-year anniversary of its Go Public! Fund Education campaign. Based on insights from 204 teacher unions across 121 countries, the report sheds light on the global teacher shortage, driven by low pay, excessive workloads, and limited career progression. It calls for immediate action from policymakers to invest in teachers’ working conditions and elevate their professional status to ensure equitable and high-quality education worldwide.

Looking Back: The European Week of Teachers

As we reflect on the year’s achievements, we encourage you to revisit our video from the European Week of Teachers, held in October 2024. The video celebrates the resilience and dedication of teachers across Europe, embodying the spirit of our #MakeTeachingAttractive campaign. Watch and share the video to continue amplifying the vital role of teachers and inspiring collective action to improve the teaching profession.

Let us use the International Day of Education as a call to action to support teachers, elevate their status, and ensure quality education for all.