The road to financing quality public education is full of clear paths, detours and stop signs
Education International has made it clear that there are no simple solutions to financing sustainable public education systems, and like other policies, decisions must be analysed and developed in close dialogue.
In presenting its own vision, Education International (EI) has set its own parameters for sufficient, predictable sustainable financing of quality education systems. Its Roadmap to Financing Education wastes no words in establishing the best directions to take, while flagging which routes should be avoided at all costs.
“There is no one-size fits all solution to financing education,” said EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen. “Which is why EI has assembled financing policy of ‘do’s and don’ts’ as a companion reader for EI affiliates who would to follow the Education Commission’s Report, Learning Generation: Investing in education for a changing world, recommendations.”
The Roadmap reminds EI affiliates of the financing direction that follows a human rights perspective.
For EI and its affiliates around the world, education must first and foremost be publicly funded and regulated. With this as a starting point, the Roadmap is a clear signal from teachers to governments.
The Roadmap breaks down education financing options through a simple system recognisable around the world: traffic lights. Policies marked ‘Green’ are a must go! Those tagged with a ‘Yellow’ light obliges policy makers to proceed cautiously, while ‘Red’ is a danger to public safety must be avoided.
The Roadmap is broken down into six sections: Financing Quality Education for All, Aid as a Means to Financing Quality Education for All, Strengthening Education Systems and Ensuring Quality, Investing in Teachers, Ensuring Equitable and Inclusive Education and Investing in Technology for Quality Education.
The financing section provides what EI believes is the foundation for creating quality education for all in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 to “Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” by 2030.
