June 12, World Day Against Child Labor

Education—The Right Response to Child Labor

As a founding member of Education International (EI), NEA believes that child labor is an impediment to accessing education—a basic human right. Furthermore, NEA believes that it is the combined responsibility of education unions and governments to combat child labor through ensuring access to a quality education for all children.

As part of this year's events, NEA President Reg Weaver, who also serves as Vice President of EI, will participate in a panel discussion addressing the role of education unions and governments to ensure Education For All—a global commitment to provide quality basic education for all children, youth, and adults by the year 2015.

A boy repairs a tire in Gambia. Photo from Wikipedia Commons

Included in Education for All goals is the United States; in May, NEA members went to Capitol Hill to lobby on behalf of the Education for All Act, which will ensure that the United States carries through on its promise of universal education for all of our citizens.

Additionally, through its "Fast Track Initiative," Education International, along with World Bank, is addressing the need for better teacher training and salaries. EI encourages its more than 380 member affiliates worldwide to lobby their governments to provide funding for quality teacher training so that all children may have access to quality public education and break the cycle of poverty.