The Toolkit is an important new initiative of ILO Sectoral Activities and is strongly supported by Education International. The Toolkit is expected to be published early in 2010 for use by Education Ministries and other public employers of teachers, as well as private employers, and by education unions around the world.

This year, Education International (EI), the International Labour Organisation (ILO), UNESCO, UNDP and UNICEF have issued a joint statement calling upon governments, communities, national and international institutions everywhere to act decisively to achieve Education for All. In addition, they are seeking mechanisms that protect teachers and ensure that education investments match demand at all levels of education.

“There is an acute shortage of qualified and trained teachers, especially in the developing world where enrolments at all levels are increasing. It is estimated that 2.4 million teachers (1.2 million new teacher posts) will be needed between 2007 and 2015 in sub-Saharan Africa alone to achieve Universal Primary Education. Lack of training, professional development and growing recruitment on a contract basis weaken education quality. But the profession is also gravely affected by poverty, the HIV and AIDS pandemic, natural disasters, conflict and violence against teachers in school”, according to the statement.

The Education International Press Release is available here. The UNESCO Press Release is available here.

The Joint Statement is available here.

The Press Release and Joint Statement are available in other languages on the EI Website, the UNESCO World Teachers’ Day Webpage, the World Teachers’ Day Website and the IFUT World Teachers’ Day 2009 page.