European Trade Union Committee for Education

A recent article in the Brussels Times analyses the main issues at stake in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) such as the secrecy of the negotiations, ISDS (investor-state dispute settlement) and the consequences on growth and employment. The consequences on education, health and public services are also outlined in the article. Explaining the consequences for the education sector the article quotes the common letter by Education International, ETUCE, AFT and NEA sent in June 2014 to both presidents of the US and of the European Commission:

"If education is covered in the TTIP, the consequences could be serious. Rules governing market access could restrict the ability (...) to limit the entry and regulate the quality of private and for-profit schools and institutions.  Any measure adopted by a public body to promote high quality standards (...) could potentially be interpreted as a "disguised barrier to trade" (...). ...private education companies from the EU or the US would have the right to challenge (...) measures adopted by the other party that they feel interferes with their profits."

Furthermore, it also quotes ETUCE European director Martin Rømer : "With some minor exceptions, the EU is essentially opening the door wide open to for-profit American companies to provide education from primary school all the way to university," "And the rules of the TTIP will make it very difficult for Member States to effectively regulate these companies."

Read the article from The Brussels Times

Read the common letter by Education International, ETUCE, AFT and NEA

Read the ETUCE Press Release: TRADE DEAL UNDER FIRE FROM TEACHERS - LEAKED EU TTIP OFFER ON SERVICES OPENS DOOR TO PRIVATISATION