Special page on the economic crisis and education in Europe
IMPACT OF THE ECONOMIC CRISIS ON EDUCATION: ETUCE ACTIONS AND POLICIES
Background Information
The economic crisis that struck the world in 2007 is seen by many experts and commentators as the worse crisis since the economic depression took off in 1929. The crisis has affected European economies and public finances and today we are witnessing its consequences as public spending is being cut across Europe. Several European countries have operated major cuts in education and training expenditure in 2009 and 2010. Other countries are likely to do so in 2011.
In response to the consequences of the crisis on education in Europe, the ETUCE has undertaken various actions and policies. For the ETUCE, it is essential that the overall educational level is raised if Europe is to emerge stronger from the crisis. In order to do so, Europe needs strong and well functioning education systems. Cutting in education is not the right answer to these challenges and the ETUCE is deeply concerned by the short sighted austerity policies taken up on by some European governments.
The ETUCE is putting great effort to press the European governments to secure sufficient investments in education and training at national level. This special page presents the ETUCE action and policies on the impact of the crisis for education.
Euro-demonstrations
The ETUCE is actively participating in all the Euro-demonstrations organised by the ETUC. Since 2009, the Euro-demonstrations focus on
Recently, the ETUCE organised a teachers’ representation within the ETUC Euro-demonstration “No to austerity – for a social Europe, for jobs and welfare, for fair taxes and law”, which took place in Budapest on the 8 April 2011. Thanks to the successful mobilisation by the Hungarian ETUCE member organisations, more than 3000 teachers were present in the march. Colleagues from Romania and Bulgaria also joined the demonstration as well as delegations from Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, France, UK and the ETUCE secretariat. In his speech to the demonstrators, the ETUCE European Director Martin Rømer said: “It is time for the governments in Europe to act according to their commitment at EU level, to stop cutting education budgets and to invest in the future.”
ETUCE Special Meeting: Education,
a response to the crisis
On Friday 20 January 2012, ETUCE held a Special Meeting on the impacts of the economic crisis on the education sector.
75 participants from member organisations in 26 European countries gathered for this one day meeting in Brussels. From several keynote speeches and panel presentations they learned about causes and consequences of the economic crisis’ more recent developments. The speakers were EI, TUAC, EPSU and ETUI representatives as well as Androulla Vassilliou, European Commissioner for Education and Culture. The presentations gave rise to a vital debate among participants about the negative effects of austerity cuts in the education sector and the entire social system. Mrs Vassilliou had a brief opportunity to listen to participants’ interventions. She shared their concerns and stated: “Investment in quality education and training is a necessary condition for economic prosperity, job creation and the preservation of the European social model.“
Participants also reported on their own national experience and exchanged views on possible solutions to overcome the current most threatening problems. They emphasised the importance of joint decision-making and early actions at European level at this stage of the crisis. Participants agreed on a set of conclusions.
Agenda >>
PPT by Guntars Catlaks, Research Institute, Education International >>
PPT by Mario Soares, Member of the European Economic and Social Committee >>
PPT by Christophe Degryse, Researcher, ETUI >>
PPT by Martin Rømer, European Director, ETUCE >>
Conclusions >>
Welcome to the ETUCE Special information page on the crisis.
This page will present information on ETUCE actions and policies regarding the impact of the economic crisis on education.
We want our member organisations to participate actively on this topic. Throughout this page you will be able to upload
videos and pictures.
You can also consult the Education in crisis EI webpage
Education International
European Region - ETUCE
Together we will stand with Wisconsin
After governor Scott Walker took office in the state of Wisconsin, the United States, in November 2010, he rolled out a plan to destroy public education to cover the US$3 billion deficit in the state's 2011-2013 budget. The 2011 school year started with 3,368 less education posts and spending per pupil was reduced to US$635. Thousands of state employees, including teachers, were laid off. In the Milwaukee public school district for example, 354 teachers were fired among other cuts such as the elimination of vacant positions, teaching material, building maintenance, so that US$84 million could be saved for spendings on schools there. A total of US$800 million state aid to education was cut.
The consequences of Walker's plan were massive. For the teachers who remain, not only was their take-home pay reduced, they now have to pay more for their retirement and health care, as those have risen as well due to Walker's cutbacks. Veteran teachers were lost because they were forced to go on early retirement to prevent further decreases in their pension entitlement. Teachers have to deal with larger class sizes, lack of material and ill-maintained school compound and facilities. The ultimate victims are the children who are missing out on their education.
Teachers, parents and state employees took to the street to call for the recall of Scott Walker. EI's member organisations in the United States, the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) strongly support the actions of their Wisconsin colleagues. Likewise, EI's sister Global Union Federation, Public Services International (PSI) and their American members, and the American labour federation AFL-CIO, are giving their full support to Wisconsin’s public servants.
As a result of their year-long campaign to "Reclaim Wisconsin", one million signatures were collected for recall elections to remove Walker from office.
How you can help :
1. Add the campaign's Blue Fist logo on your website and link to the Stand with Wisconsin blog (http://wisaflcio.typepad.com)
2. Encourage your members to sign the Reclaim Wisconsin pledge (http://act.aflcio.org/c/270/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=3573)
3. If you are in the USA, join them on 10 March for the Reclaim Wisconsin March, to commemorate the one year anniversary of how Walker and his legislative allies rammed through the rights-stripping bill in an illegal meeting in the dead of the night of 9 March 2011 despite massive citizen protest.
News and national activities
Featuring Hungary in the crisis
Hungary will be the first example published on this website on how teachers‘ trade unions combat the crisis since 2008.
It includes their opinion about the crisis at national level, their actions and reactions, and the effect of the crisis on the trade union and on their members.
The country examples were based on interviews with national teachers’ trade unions willing to contribute to the ETUCE crisis campaign filling in a mini-survey.
Report Union activities:
In the framework of the EI/ETUCE Campaign on the Economic Crisis, the ETUCE asks its member organisations to send information on all their activities related to the crisis : Reporting scheme
Important ETUCE dates
ETUCE Special Meeting 20 January
ETUC Action Day 29 February
Featuring Countries 15 March – 20 April
ETUCE Committee 27-28 March
Meeting MEP`s 28 March
Featuring countries in the crisis
Solidarity
Analysis of the results of the ETUCE Mini-Survey
55 teacher trade unions, covering the sectors of early childhood education, primary education, secondary education, vocational education and training and higher education, and representing 26 EU and 14 non-EU countries, replied to the mini-survey between 17 February and 23 March, 2012.
To read the short report presenting the analysis of the results of the survey >>>
Solidarity with the ETUCE member organisations in Spain
The ETUCE wishes to express its full solidarity with its member organisations in Spain for their participation in in the general strike on 29 March 2012.
Read the ETUCE solidarity message >>>
ETUCE Committee meets
with European MEPs
On 28 March, the ETUCE Committee met with Ole Christensen and Alejandro Cercas, members of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats from the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs at the European Parliament together with 3 more MEPs. The union delegation presented the results of a survey on the impact of the crisis on education, and urged the European Parliament to adopt a resolution on this topic.
ETUCE President, Ronnie Smith, deplored that: “Austerity measures are more a killer than a cure to the crisis. The economic shock affecting the economy affects education, as well as the other publicly funded services. Beyond that, it is widely accepted that education is part of the path leading out of the crisis. Our primary concern is to keep an appropriate financing for education, and a more sensible social approach to the crisis”.
ETUCE Director, Martin Rømer, then presented the ETUCE survey’s outcomes. He regretted there is a considerable difference between the official policy of the Commission and what governments do and decide at European level and at home. Among the consequences of cuts in education, he mentioned: increased working hours for educators, dismissal of teachers, merger or closure of schools, and difficulties in recruiting and retaining teachers. Noting there are ideological reasons rather than economic reasons to cuts in education, Rømer talked about a “vicious spiral,” spreading austerity measures leading to less taxes, less public spending, and increased cuts in education. He finished his intervention by calling on the European Parliament “to come up with a resolution underlining the necessity of protecting education as one of the important tool to get out of the economic crisis.”
The 45-delegate strong trade union delegation then had the opportunity to ask questions to the MEPs.
“We are not able to solve the mentioned issues at the European Parliament, but what we can do is focus on some of them,” answered Ole Christensen. “If we can work with citizens, students, national trade unions, we have great chances to get through in media and get support.” He agreed on the importance of social dialogue. He furthermore stated that “education should be free of the crisis, and considered an investment, but the leading European Troika insisted austerity measures have to go on be implemented.”
“We will try to find a way to come up with a resolution, finding colleagues of the right we can cooperate with,” promised the other MEP, Alejandro Cercas from Spain. He stressed “public education is not a market value. It is important to fight this battle now, important for our children.” He insisted the current crisis is more a crisis of values than an economic crisis, and strongly highlighted the idea of solidarity. “Citizens throughout Europe want solidarity, through public education systems! We are destroying the tools of solidarity between regions, people, or countries. It is important to show an alternative than ever.”
The meeting concluded by agreeing that further contact between ETUCE and the Parliament should continue to establish a “coalition to protect public education” and find ways of getting a resolution through the Parliament.
Featuring Spain in the crisis
Spain is the second example published on this website on how teachers‘ trade unions combat the crisis since 2008.
It includes views on the crisis at national level, actions and reactions, and the effect of the crisis on the trade union and their members.
This country example is based on an interview with José Campos, General Secretary F.E.CC.OO. and further contributions to the ETUCE mini-survey on the crisis.
News from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of
Socialists & Democrats in the European Parliament :
EU COMMISSION ON WRONG PATH WITH OUT-DATED NEO-LIBERAL
OUTLOOK WHILE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY DEMANDS GROWTH
AND INVESTMENT
The EU Commission is not taking the right action to get Europe out of the crisis. This was the main message from Hannes Swoboda, S&D Group President, at the S&D Strasbourg press conference today. "All around the world we hear economic experts and politicians calling for European action for growth and investment. Yet the Commission is deaf to these voices. The Commission must understand that its neo-liberal strategy is out-of-date and will not help us out of the crisis."
The Socialists and Democrats state once more that the narrow focus on austerity cannot be the way ahead. We must fight for an alternative way out of the crisis and come up with different solutions for the people.
On the link between action on taxation and fostering growth and investment, Hannes Swoboda added: "We need to give EU member states new possibilities for finding money for investment and employment. There is money in the system but we need to make sure we can use it. Therefore, we must take action to fight tax fraud and tax avoidance, and introduce the urgently needed financial transaction tax."
The President stressed that the S&D Group would not agree with Wolfgang Schäuble's proposal for a minimum stamp tax. In order to have a real impact, a proper financial transaction tax is necessary.
According to a recent study commissioned by the S&D Group, savings of up to €1 trillion could be made on tax evasion and tax avoidance. In this context Hannes Swoboda added:
"If €200 billion could be saved by taking action on tax evasion, we could increase public investment from the current 2.7% of GDP to 3.5% per year. This increase would have a direct impact on the creation of jobs. The fight against tax evasion is therefore an essential part of the employment and growth policy."
Commenting on the Commission Strategy on Employment presented today, Hannes Swoboda said:
"This is a first step in the right direction. There are reasonable ideas in the document such as the system of minimum wages. But in order to implement these proposals we need a real change in Commission policy and the introduction of a policy to create jobs.
"The fight against youth unemployment is particularly relevant. We cannot accept the alarmingly high youth unemployment rates in Europe. We need to give hope to these young people and integrate them in the labour market."
Union Activities
16 -19 May 2012, European Action Days-Germany
17-19 April 2012, Solidarity activity-Germany
8 March 2012, Letter to the Ministry-Malta
March 2012, Position Paper -Germany
For a democratic and social Europe
GEW calls for European days of action from 16th until 19th May in Frankfurt
For more information >>>
Germany : Blockupy Frankfurt alliance Demonstration
On 19 May around 25.000 people participated in the demonstration organized by the Blockupy Frankfurt alliance. They protested peacefully against austerity, the power of banks and the dominance of the financial markets. GEW together with colleagues from OLME, DOE, SNES and FENPROF participated in that demonstration and in the European day of action.
Please read the GEW article here
Norwegian teachers in strike action under the banner ‘It costs to have competent people’
Union of Education Norway is the largest member organization of Unio - Norway’s second largest trade union confederation. Unio, whose affiliates mostly consist of public sector employees, has recently embarked on a major strike action after salary negotiations with state and municipal authorities broke down. Norwegian teachers do relate to and follow the struggle by fellow teachers and other public employees in Europe to secure reasonable wages and working conditions in the wake of the crippling financial crisis. We extend our hands in solidarity. The struggle is a collective one - we are together striving for reasonable wages and decent working conditions.
In Norway, teachers make up one of the largest professional groups in the public sector. Unio, our umbrella organization yesterday published the following message in major newspapers across the country:
“A formidable challenge facing our country is how to attract competent personnel to the teaching profession. Without able (skilled) public employees at both the state and local government level, the Norwegian population will not have access to quality public services. The recruitment and maintenance of a well-trained, highly skilled public sector workforce requires that they are paid wages commensurate with their skills and qualifications. This may be costly in monetary terms but it is a wise investment.
Yet, the Norwegian government has presented an offer that will further widen the wage gap between the private and public sectors and thereby make it even more difficult to attract competent personnel to the public sector. Such a situation does not bode well for the Norwegian welfare system. This is what Unio seeks to avert. Our demands are reasonable; we are asking for a just wage settlement. That is why our wages must go up”.
Photos at Flickr
Featuring Bulgaria in the crisis
Bulgaria is the third example published on this website on how teachers‘ trade unions combat the crisis since 2008.
It includes views on the crisis at national level, actions and reactions, and the effect of the crisis on the trade union and their members.
This country example is based on an interview with Janka Takeva, President of SEB
Featuring Portugal in the crisis
Portugal is the fourth example published on this website on how teachers‘ trade unions combat the crisis since 2008.
It includes views on the crisis at national level, actions and reactions, and the effect of the crisis on the trade union and their members.
This country example is based on an interview with Carlos Chagas, General Secretary of SINDEP and João Dias da Silva, General Secretary of FNE.
Featuring Italy in the crisis
Italy is the fifth example published on this website on how teachers‘ trade unions combat the crisis since 2008.
It includes views on the crisis at national level, actions and reactions, and the effect of the crisis on the trade union and their members.
This country example is based on an interview with Massimo Di Menna, General Secretary of UIL -Scuola, Rosa Mongillo, National Secretary of CISL -Scuola and Domenico Pantaleo, General Secretary of FLC-CGIL.
Analysis of a mini-survey on the impact of the economic crisis on teacher education in the EU
ETUCE initiated a mini-survey to map out whether and to what extent the recent economic and financial crisis has affected teacher education. With this survey, ETUCE intends to support a new policy package of the European Commission on skills to be issues in the autumn of 2012, and its recommendations on the teaching profession. We consider it essential that the text of the policy paper of the European Commission refers to the effect of the crisis on the teaching profession, especially on the education of teachers, based on these survey results.
The survey intended to investigate whether the economic and financial crisis has affected teacher education in three fields:
1. Initial education of teachers
2. Induction phase of teachers
3. Professional development of teachers
31 teacher trade unions, covering the sectors of early childhood education, primary education, secondary education, vocational education and training and higher education, representing 15 EU and 2 non-EU countries, replied to the mini-survey between 15 June and 11 July 2012.
Read the Analysis >>>
