Greater public funding for education is essential for economic growth, Education International said in response to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development state-of-the-nation report on the educational health of its members, Education at a Glance. EI, a global federation representing 30 million teachers and education staff in 172 countries, said the study revealed a “disturbing trend” away from public funding towards private investment in education, especially in the early childhood and university sectors.