Campaign Week 2020: #InvestInEducation!

An initiative from ETUCE and its member organisations to the European Parliament elections in May 2019 and a contribution to the EI Global Response.

Shape the Future of Europe with Teachers! Education trade unions call for public investment in quality education as Europe looks to reopen after COVID-19

COVID-19 is a new and rapidly evolving crisis for Europe’s education systems. Closures have created paedogogical chaos for teaching and exams, while reopening will pose a huge health and safety challenge. But this global pandemic hit a sector that was already weakened by a decade of failed austerity. Now we fear that the economic aftershocks of the shutdown could have terrible consequences for public services like education. Further cuts would only widen inequalities and be a disaster for students, staff and communities – especially the most vulnerable.

So this week ETUCE will be making the case for stronger public investment in education and sounding the alarm about the creeping privatisation and commercialisation of the sector. It is urgent that we make the teaching profession more attractive, to recruit and retain excellent professionals and ease the teacher shortages facing Europe’s education systems. And it is essential that we guarantee quality public education for all – the only way for education to contribute to fairer and more equal societies.

Let’s build the tomorrow we want to see. Let’s shape the future of Europe with teachers.

Throughout the week we will share snapshots of the funding crisis facing European education systems and explore its impact on students and staff. Keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter pages and check out our recent Statement Turn the Tide: Invest in Education.

For more information about how ETUCE and member organisations are responding to COVID-19, check out the COVID-19 hub.

Get in touch

The ETUCE Secretariat sends solidarity to all teachers, academics and other education personnel and their education trade unions as they react to and tackle this unprecedented crisis. And we all know that the work is just beginning. We invite ETUCE member organisations to inform the ETUCE Secretariat about the changing situation in your countries and sectors as Europe looks to reopen its economies and education sectors. Keep us updated on the emerging exit strategies, what they mean for staff and students, how you are engaging to shape the situation, and the potential long-term impact on public investment in quality education for all. And let us know how we can support you. Contact ETUCE at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

European Trade Union Committee for Education