Abidjan Principles receive new recognition in Brazil
The Abidjan Principles have been explicitly referenced in a new report produced by the National Education Forum (FNE) Working Group on the Regulation of Private Education in Brazil.
The report recognises the Abidjan Principles as an important international regulatory framework concerning private actors in education and underscores that the Principles have already been adopted as a reference point in the final document of the 2024 National Conference on Education (Conae). The Principles were also provided as the reference for the analysis of national legislation and recommendations.
Following its publication, in early May the report was officially submitted to several public authorities and institutions, including the Ministry of Education, the National Education Council, the National Congress, judicial bodies, oversight institutions, and education stakeholders.
Among its general recommendations, the report calls for:
Establishing minimum educational standards for private schools aligned with human rights obligations, particularly the Abidjan Principles;
Implementing human rights impact assessments before adopting measures affecting the right to education, including public funding for private actors;
Creating safeguards against undue private influence in education systems;
Strengthening regulatory frameworks governing private provision and public-private partnerships in education;
Progressively reducing dependency on the private sector while prioritizing strong public education systems.
Andressa Pellanda, General Coordinator, Brazilian Campaign for the Right to Education, who has been instrumental in pushing for the Abidjan Principles' recognition and was the rapporteur for the Forum's Working Group that developed the document, notes that this development “represents another significant institutional recognition of the Abidjan Principles in Brazil and within national education policy discussions.”
The report was coordinated within the National Education Forum framework, with engagement from the Brazilian Campaign for the Right to Education, and was finally approved by the assembly. The National Education Forum (FNE) is a permanent formal body for dialogue and coordination between public authorities and civil society, created to strengthen educational policies in Brazil. It coordinates the National Education Conferences (CONAEs) and monitors the implementation of the goals of the National Education Plan (PNE). It was established within the Ministry of Education through MEC Ordinance No. 1,407, of December 14, 2010.
You can learn more about Brazilian Campaign for the Right to Education work to advance the right to education for all, by watching Andressa’s recent video:
Video titled ‘The Abidjan Principles in Practice - Brazil | Success advancing the right to education‘ with Andressa Pellanda, General Coordinator, Brazilian Campaign for the Right to Education.