Every Child Needs a Teacher - Join the Action Week 2006

Submitted by crinadmin on

In 2006, the Global Campaign on Education (GCE) will continue to build on the amazing campaigning success of the Action Weeks of previous years, always held in April. Join this year's Action Week, called 'Every child needs a teacher'! The aim of this week as well as with all the other actions of the GCE is to maintain and increase pressure on rich and poor countries alike to take urgent action towards achieving Education for All.

Every child needs a teacher because -

Right now, over 100 million children wake up every day without the hope that education offers. These children know AIDS, know poverty, know hard labour, know hunger - but they will never know a teacher.

There are simply not enough teachers to ensure every child can get a quality education:

- The United Nations estimates that at least 15 million more teachers are needed for the universal primary education goal alone.

- There is a desperate need for more qualified teachers - many low income countries currently save money by hiring teachers with little training, and pay them poorly.

- Teachers are under pressure, coping with enormous classes, poor living and working conditions and many are affected by HIV/AIDS. Yet good teachers are essential for children to learn, female teachers are particularly important for helping girls stay in school.

GCE will be watching politicians, to ensure they keep their promises of enabling every child to go to school and be taught by a qualified teacher.

GCE is demanding rich countries:

- Increase aid and cancel debt

- Support countries' long-term education plans including teacher salaries

- End harmful donor conditions that prevent countries employing sufficient numbers of professional teachers

GCE demands poor countries:

- Increase public spending on education

- Ensure quality teaching by training teachers to a professional standard

- Pay teachers a living wage and give them a say in education policy-making

- Reduce class sizes and improve classroom conditions.

5 million campaigners came together in 2005. How many people will get involved in 2006? Join us in building pressure on politicians to provide money and leadership in achieving Education for All. Download the planning and activity packs for NGOs here 

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