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| Welcome |
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Associations Distinct and Respected Roll
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Strengthening Teaching profession should be the one of the most priority for bringing education reforms in Pakistan, where more than half population is illiterate. The equation is simple, public cannot be educated if teachers are not educated. Investment on teachers is as equal as investment on children education.
Teachers cannot form unions in Pakistan; despite Pakistan being signatory to ILO Conventions 87 and 98, which is a major violation of workers right. Government and Public Schools cover most of the education sector in Pakistan. Mostly teachers in Pakistan organized themselves informally in form of Associations. In some cases, few teachers’ associations have jointed few national trade union federations but mostly they are non-paying affiliates and are not well organized.
Teachers’ Associations constitute structures of civil society and the true representative of teachers. Although they are still fragile in Pakistan, but they have strong potential to position themselves as guardians of democracy due to their efforts to maintain meaningful dialogue and consultation with all stakeholders in education; national authorities, teachers and teachers’ associations, development agencies, economic operators and other actors.
Therefore, Teachers’ Unions or associations can have a distinct and respected role, more sustainable if properly organize, which encompasses all matters concerning to education systems, children’s problems, school problems, pay and conditions of service, providing robust research and policy evidence on key areas of concern to their communities.
The important part is to realize for Government and public that good and effective teachers’ unions can play a crucial role in promotion of education all over Pakistan. Unionism is a tool, which gives a platform for teachers. No else can better understand teachers’ problems other than teachers themselves. The international experience has shown that teacher unions and associations activism results in much more improved results because teachers take more ownership and are a part of the whole process.
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About Teachers’ Consortium of Pakistan (TCOP)
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There are hundreds of teachers’ associations operating in Pakistan but it is an unfortunate reality that these associations have hardly any influence on any educational or related policies affecting teachers.
The National Teachers’ Organization in collaboration with other teachers’ associations and trade unions’ federations has formed a common platform “TCOP” to be issue focused, driven by collective efforts and properly organized. The TCOP has invited active teachers’ associations / federations across Pakistan to join the consortium.
The Teachers’ Consortium is a non-political forum, and its prime functions are to promote education and Safe Guard Teachers’ Rights.
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Main Objectives of TCOP
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The Teachers’ Consortium of Pakistan was founded in 2004 to represent the economic, social and professional interest of teachers and teachers’ associations in Pakistan with the following aims:
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1.
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To establish a visible presence of teachers at national level policies, affecting teachers.
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2.
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To advocate for public education policies, including high academic and conduct standards for students and greater professionalism for teachers and school staff.
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To improve the lives of teachers and to improve the quality of the services teachers provide, through bringing together all members to assist and support one another and to promote democracy and respect for human rights. |
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To struggle for the basic right of teachers to form unions and to have the right collective bargaining as laid down in the ILO Convention 87 and 98.
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Support National and International co-operation in the struggle against any kind of exploitation and oppression and to make National and International working class solidarity effective.
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6.
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Defend and Promote in the National and International plans the economic social and occupational interest of all workers in education.
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Seek universal recognition and enforcement of the right of trade union organization and collective bargaining.
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8.
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Represent Pakistan’s Teachers in International Agencies performing functions which affect their social, economic and occupational conditions.
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9.
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Furnish its units with information on the scales, Salaries and working conditions of different teachers in different parts of the country as well as the World.
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10.
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Co-ordinate, direct, Assist and guide the activities of federating units in all matters directly or indirectly affecting the economic, social and political interests of the teachers of Pakistan as a whole.
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Endeavor to strengthen National solidarity amongst the teachers of the country and active co-operation with the teachers of other countries to defend fundamental and democratic rights of workers in education and other common interest.
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12.
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Secure and maintain freedom of speech, Press and association.
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Endeavor to secure improved better relationship between the Govt. officials and the Teachers.
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Endeavor to secure equity of right and privileges in the employment irrespective of race, colour, creed and sex.
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Represent the interest of the units to the Government and endeavor to secure legislative measures furthering the interest of the workers in education.
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16.
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Work for the abolition of contract labour in any form.
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17.
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Help and guide the Teachers in organizing themselves into associations and federations.
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