Kurdistan Teachers' Union Participates in Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting...

The Regional Committee of "International Education Asia-Pacific" met on 5-6 March 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand to review the progress of the past year and a half and determine the region's priorities. Mr. Abdul Wahid Mohammed Haji, Vice President of the Kurdistan Teachers' Union and a member of the Asia-Pacific Regional Committee, participated in the meeting representing the teachers of Kurdistan.

Mugwena Maluleke, the newly elected President of International Education in Southern Africa, and David Edwards, Secretary General of International Education, along with international education cooperation partners, were present at the meeting.

Maluleke acknowledged the important work of International Education member organizations in Asia-Pacific and the Regional Office. She called on members to reflect on key issues, including lessons learned, improving community participation in support, and ensuring governments prioritize education funding despite competitive priorities.

The Committee Chair, Tsukasa Takimoto, emphasized the increasing threats to democracy, labor rights, and human rights, and stressed the need for solidarity among education trade unions worldwide.

Regional Director's Progress Report

In his report to the Regional Committee, Regional Director Anand Singh emphasized that Asia-Pacific is a vast and diverse region, with growing concerns about the deterioration of labor rights. Current situations in Bangladesh, Philippines, and Myanmar are particularly concerning. The second edition of the key report "International Education Asia-Pacific" titled "State of Education Workers in Asia-Pacific" will be published in October 2025 to provide information and follow up on human rights and trade union violations in the education sector.

Defending Rights and Democracy

Regional Committee members of International Education Asia-Pacific expressed concern about the increasing threats to teachers, educational institutions, and their rights. Myanmar, still struggling for recognition of the NUG government, continues to ensure that educational services are not disrupted and that students and teachers can learn and teach.

Mr. Abdul Wahid Mohammed Haji reaffirmed full support from himself and the Kurdistan Teachers' Union for teachers' rights across the region. He highlighted the educational situation in Kurdistan Region and the challenges facing our teachers, requesting further support and cooperation from global unions.

The constitutional crisis in South Korea, ongoing harassment of union members in the Philippines, and Trump's election in the United States have endangered many lives and weakened fundamental human rights. International Education Secretary General David Edwards reaffirmed global solidarity with unions working in hostile environments and facing ongoing violence.

Strengthening the Teaching Profession

In his opening remarks, Chair Tsukasa Takimoto (Japan Teachers' Union) emphasized the need to ensure all children have a calm and clear future. He continued, "Brothers and sisters, demands on teachers are continuously becoming more complex, and teacher shortages persist in nearly all countries. Now more than ever, we must fight to improve teachers' status and working conditions."

Education Unions Unite for "Be Public! Fund Education" Campaign

The Committee reaffirmed its commitment and support for expanding the "Be Public! Fund Education" campaign in Asia-Pacific, acknowledging the significant achievements in Mongolia and Indonesia over the past two years.

The meeting concluded with a sense of renewed unity and determination, further strengthening the Asia-Pacific Education Unions' commitment to defending public education, strengthening the teaching profession, and advocating for fair, well-funded, and sustainable education systems worldwide.