Education International Research
Teacher pay conditions EI holds that “the salaries, pension schemes and conditions of service for those working in education should be comparable with those available to other groups in society with similar qualifications” (EI, 2011). This principle echoes those stated in both the ILO/ UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers (1966) and the UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Higher Education Teaching Personnel (1997). However, only about 21% of EI teacher unions across all levels of education consider that their members are earning salaries comparable to those of other professionals with similar educational qualifications. The greatest disadvantage is felt by TVET and ECE teachers, less than 17% of whom are reportedly earning “fair salaries.” Data for OECD countries found that primary school teachers earn 81% of the salary of full-time, fullyear workers 25-64 years of age who have received tertiary education. The gaps narrow slightly among teachers of lower secondary schools (85%) and a bit more (89%) among upper secondary school teachers (OECD, 2016a). There are also significant pay differences between men and women teachers in many countries. According to qualitative data for Mexico, women teachers at the primary education level earn about 10% less than their male counterparts, although the gap at the secondary level of education is much smaller. The years 2007-2017 saw widespread forms of teacher mobilisation for better pay conditions. These mobilisations took place in diverse countries that included the United States, Peru, Greece, and Benin, among several others. Asked if the “salaries provide adequate and sustainable living standards,” the percentage becomes smaller, as only 19% of all unions representing teachers in ECE, primary, secondary, and TVET education agree with the statement. Again, the inadequacy of their salaries is most severely felt among ECE and TVET teachers. Table 3. Proportion of Unions Agreeing With Statements About Teachers’ Salary Conditions
20
Secondary Education
Row Check %
Checks
Row Check %
Checks
Row Check %
Checks
Row Check %
Not Applicable
Checks
TVET
Row Check %
Primary Education
Checks
Early Childhood Education
Teachers' salaries are comparable to those for professionals with similar qualifications
25
17.99%
35
25.18%
31
22.30%
23
16.55%
25
17.99%
Teachers' salaries provide adequate and sustainable standards of living
21
15.33%
30
21.90%
29
21.17%
22
16.06%
35
25.55%