International Federation of Secondary Teachers


The International Federation of Secondary Teachers was a global union federation bringing together trade unions representing secondary school teachers.

History

The federation was established in 1912 at a meeting in Brussels attended by unions from France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Initially named the International Bureau of National Associations of Teachers in Public Secondary Schools, it became moribund during World War I, but was revived after the war and began growing. By 1932, it had 26 affiliates, with a total of 100,000 members. It became the "International Federation of Secondary Teachers" in 1935.
In 1921, the federation launched the International Bulletin journal, for the discussion of education issues. After World War II, the federation also began campaigning on professional and social topics. It built closer contacts with the International Federation of Teachers' Associations, which represented primary school teachers, while with the International Teachers' Federation and World Organisation of the Teaching Profession, it formed the loose Comité d'Entente, to lobby international organisations on education issues.
In 1952, FIPESO, the IFTA and the WOTP merged to form the World Confederation of Organizations of the Teaching Profession. FIPESO continued as an autonomous section of the new federation. Its membership initially grew, as secondary education expanded in many countries, but fell during the 1970s, rebounding in the 1980s as it attracted members in Africa, Latin America and Asia. In 1993, it dissolved, its remaining members joining the new Education International.

Leadership

General Secretary

Presidents