Public Education & Human Rights Coalition
Countering privatisation and advancing the right to education for all
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Achieving universal and equitable public education is at risk.
Around the world our public education systems are struggling to deliver on the human right to education, often due to underfunding.
Increasingly, an influential group of actors, from think tanks to businesses, are encouraging governments to privatise their education systems. They suggest that privatisation will solve the challenges facing public education.
However, evidence shows that the rising role of private actors in education does not address these challenges.
In fact, privatisation can threaten equity in education.
What is the Right to Education?
Free, quality, inclusive, public education is a human right.
The State is the duty bearer for public education, obligated to realise the right to education for all learners. This requires States to fulfil and expand their central role.
The effects of privatisation
Extensive evidence across countries shows that privatisation of and in education does not improve quality and access, but diminishes education equity, in contravention of human rights law, the U.N. Sustainable Development Goal 4, and often, national legislation.
Privatisation takes many different forms. It can often exacerbate segregation and discrimination, erode free education, dilute curricula, create programmes that fail to meet minimum quality standards, and reduce democratic oversight.
Public education is fundamental for building more equal, just and sustainable societies.
About Us
We are a member-led global network united by our shared values.
Our Work
We advocate for the right to free, quality public education.
Call to Action
Reclaiming Public Education for All
In a world facing social fragmentation, harmful inequities, and environmental deterioration, we need quality, transformative, inclusive public education now more than ever.
We need to reclaim public education for all.
News
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