Education: A Tool for Peace and Development

Dennis Sinyolo, PhD.Senior Coordinator, Education and Employment

Education International

Outline1. Why is education so important?2. Can education alone solve all societal problems? 3. The status of teachers worldwide: better, the same or

worse than ever?4. Looking into the future: with optimism?

Why is education so important?

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” (Nelson Mandela)

Education transforms lives

Source: EFA Global Monitoring Report (GMR)

Can education alone solve all societal problems?

Youth unemployment Intolerance Racism Xenophobia…

Holistic approach key to addressing social and developmental issues– education, policy, legislation, societal response…

Education remains out of reach for many• 58 million children of primary going age remain out of school• 69 million adolescents are out of school• 774 million adults cannot read and write (nearly 2/3 of them

women)• 168 million children are in child labour• 250 million children are not learning the basics

Source: 2013/14 GMR & ILO

If you can read this, thank a teacher!

But many children around the world do not have teachers

• 3.4 million more primary teachers and 5.1 million lower secondary teachers will be needed to provide all children with basic education by 2030 (UIS)

• Many children in developing countries learn in overcrowded classrooms without basic resources

Declining status of teachers?• Recruitment of unqualified teachers: a major challenge • Low salaries and poor/deteriorating conditions of service for teachers• Casualisation of the teaching profession through short-term contracts

(less pay; no job security; no social security…)• Accountability mechanisms based on competition rather than

collaboration among teachers and schools• Linking teacher performance and remuneration to standardised

assessments and its impact on the school curriculum and learners• Deskilling and loss of professional status for migrant teachers• Safety for teachers and students

What can be done?• Make teaching an attractive and first choice profession• Adopt a life-long learning approach to teacher education• Governments must invest in initial teacher preparation, recruit and

deploy female and male teachers in such a way that every child is taught by a qualified teacher

• Governments need to institute induction programmes for all newly-qualified teachers and to invest in in-service training for all teachers and school leaders

• Governments and employers should improve the salaries and conditions of service for all teachers

• Governments should ensure institutionalised social dialogue (CB), guarantee freedom of association and the right to organise

International solidarity key

Educators must speak with one voice and act together to defend and promote quality education for all, their professional status and working conditions.

An injury to one is an injury to all!

Looking into the future : with optimism?

• Future development goals after 2015 must have education and teachers at their core

• The right of every child, youth and adult to quality education must be guaranteed by the state through appropriate policy, legislation and adequate funding

• All governments must ensure that all learners are taught by qualified, professionally-trained, motivated and well-supported teachers

Thank you!

dennis.sinyolo@ei-ie.org