Teachers in the Fukishama region of Japan have joined other trade unionists in protests against the continuing nuclear emergency
The teachers who are members of the Fukushima Prefecture Teachers Union are fighting to hold the government and the power company TEPCO responsible and accountable for the nuclear disaster in Japan which is cantaminating food, causing thousands of workers to lose their jobs and their livelihoods and not least means that many thousands of children are attending schools with radiation levels much higher than the previously accepted safety standards.
He said that tolerance was crucial to guard against the politics of polarization at a time when stereotypes, ignorance and hatred threatened social harmony in a world of increasingly diverse societies.
“Today’s world is more closely tied than ever by trade and information technology, but rifts between and within communities and States are being broadened and deepened by poverty, ignorance and conflict.
He explained that tolerance does not mean accepting all practices and views as equal, but its value lay in instilling greater awareness and respect for universal human rights and fundamental freedoms.
More than 200 participants from education unions have taken part in EI’s seventh African Regional Conference in Brazzaville, Congo, from 29 November to 3 December.
The conference theme of ‘Unity for Sustainable Investment in Quality Public Education’ was the focus of out-going EI Regional President Irene Duncan-Adunusa’s opening address.
"Investing in teachers means: investing in teachers' training, investing in teachers' working conditions, and investing in teachers' human and trade union rights. Dear colleagues, now, more than ever, is time for African educators to reaffirm Africa's ability to build a new future for its citizens through education."
“the voice of teachers is critical in ensuring that governments in Africa focus on the quality dimension in education and channel more money towards attaining this.”
Teachers in Swaziland are engaged in an ongoing protest from today
As well as fighting against pay cuts being imposed by the Swazi government, the teachers are calling for an end to the political system where a king rules the state and where political parties are illegal. The leader of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), Muzi Mhlanga told the Times of Swaziland: “We want a freeze of the money belonging to certain individuals who steal and hide it in foreign banks that are in countries like Switzerland and the United States.”
The teachers have decided to travel to the protest – which will centre in Manzini – by public transport because when they demonstrated last month their hired buses were attacked by security forces. Many leading trade unionists were arrested and the headquarters of SNAT were raided by police.
SNAT blames the government for the economic crisis in a country where the king and the elite enjoy a lavish lifestyle and where expensive celebrations are planned for the King’s jubilee, while two thirds of the population live below the poverty line.
A pilot project will be launched later this year in the southern province of
Sindh as Pakistan looks to further strengthen ties with its giant neighbour.
While Islamabad and Washington continue to eye each other warily – and a
planned visit by President Barack
Obama has been postponed - 2011 has already been declared the
year of "Pak-China Friendship".
The country's cricketing authorities have even considered playing Test matches
in China while touring sides avoid Pakistan for fear of terrorist attack.
Now, education authorities in Sindh say they plan to make Mandarin compulsory
in schools from Class 6 (10- and 11-year-olds).
"Our trade, educational and other relations are growing with China
everyday and now it is necessary for our younger generation to have command
over their language," said Pir Mazhar-ul-Haq¸ senior provincial
education minister, as he unveiled the policy.