Commonwealth teachers forum launched to address education issues

The Commonwealth Teachers Group -- a new association aimed at addressing education issues -- was launched at the 16th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (16CCEM) on 10 December 2006.

The body will serve as a frontline partner in efforts to strengthen teachers' rights and to ensure quality education for children, Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Ransford Smith said at its inaugural meeting in Cape Town, South Africa.

"The teaching profession has remained at the top of the Commonwealth education agenda. We are keen to strengthen the rights of teachers," Mr Smith stated.

"Apart from a shortage of teachers, many low-income Commonwealth countries suffer from large numbers of untrained teachers, inadequate professional support for teachers, low remuneration and a low morale among teachers. Teachers' organisations are an essential part of the solution."

Mr Smith said that the Commonwealth Secretariat's work plan for 2007-2010 puts the teaching profession as the centrepiece of its programmes.

"Every Commonwealth child has the right to a quality education and we intend to make that commitment a reality. And this reality is only possible if teachers are at the forefront of this endeavour."

The full text of Mr Smith's speech at the inaugural session of the Teachers Forum at 16CCEM is available here.

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