Kazakhstan: 100 international guests join education roundtable on the eve of KTUESW Congress
Published:
On 8 October 2019 ETUCE member organisation KTUESW hosted an international roundtable with the title “The Kazakhstan Trade Union of Education and Science Workers (KTUESW): 95 Years of the History of the Trade Union – Realities and new Challenges of the Time”. The event in Nur-Sultan took place a day before the 14th Congress of the KTUESW.
More than 100 participants discussed the challenges facing the education sector and the action that education trade unions will undertake to address them. Guests included representatives of international organisations such as International Labour Organisation (ILO), the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and education trade union representatives from 20 countries*. Government officials also joined the roundtable.
Former KTUESW President Maira Amantayeva said “in times of climate change, xenophobia, issues around migration and the low status of teaching, which concern all trade unions around Europe, it is important that we stand together in unity and solidarity to face those challenges together.”
ETUCE President Christine Blower stressed the importance of social dialogue. “Even though trade unions fight for decent conditions, they should also have a role in the development of the curriculum and in pedagogy.”
ETUCE European Director Susan Flocken said that “education is under pressure across the European region. It is important to remember that quality education needs quality teaching. That is why trade unions must work together across borders to attract young teachers to the profession and prevent brain drain.”
One important outcome of the Congress following the roundtable was the election of Aigul Mukasheva as KTUESW President.