Canadian Teachers' Federation urges PM to put Education on G8/G20 Agenda

OTTAWA, June 18 /CNW Telbec/ - Because education is at the very core of a strong economy and the smartest investment toward a sustainable recovery, the Canadian Teachers' Federation (CTF) has urged Prime Minister Stephen Harper to include this important issue on the G8/G20 agenda.

In a June 14 letter to the Prime Minister, CTF President Mary-Lou Donnelly wrote:

"Education must be given high priority at the summits because of the direct correlation between economic prosperity and how children and youth fare in elementary, secondary schools and beyond.

"No country can afford to 'lose' a generation of children and youth through sudden, substantial cuts to funding for education programs," wrote Donnelly. "Education and training must be protected from cutbacks that may be generated as a result of 'exit strategies' from stimulus spending put in place after the recent recession."

"In addition, G8 countries must maintain their commitment to close the "Education for All" (EFA) financing gap, so as to achieve the target of having all primary aged children throughout the world attending school by the year 2015," wrote Donnelly. CTF has urged the G20 countries to convene a ministerial level committee to put in place a new approach for funding of EFA. Education International, of which CTF is a Member, must have a place at that table.

The G20 has also been urged to support a new Global Partnership for Teacher Education and Professional Development. This initiative's objectives would be to ensure the provision of enough qualified teachers to achieve quality EFA and to foster good human resource practices for the teaching profession. Education International should have a recognized, leading role in this new partnership.

Founded in 1920, CTF is a national alliance of provincial and territorial teacher organizations that represent nearly 200,000 elementary and secondary school teachers across Canada. CTF is also a member of the international body of teachers, Education International.

For further information: Comments: Mary-Lou Donnelly, CTF President, 613-232-1505; Media Contact: Francine Filion, Director of Communications, 613-688-4314 or 613-899-4247 (cell)