UN resolution lets governments off the hook
In many ways, the United Nations’ new resolution on the right to education is a positive step forward but unfortunately opts for the development of regulations for private providers instead of urging governments to uphold their responsibilities.
By calling for a regulatory framework for education providers, the UN Human Rights Council resolution has opened the door to legitimising for-profit education actors.
Education International (EI) has noted that instead of doubling down on ensuring that governments “adequately fund and resource public education,” the UN has in fact made it easier for governments to abdicate their obligation.
Susan Hopgood, EI President, made it clear that “the existence of private schooling is not a right, and in most instances is ideological.”
Hopgood, who is set to represent EI at a UN High-Level Event on Education on 28 June in New York, went on to clarify that “where non-state actors do exist, as part of a system of regulation of non-state actors for the purpose of registration to operate, they must comply with a set of minimum standards.”
Education International continues to advocate for a system of regulation of non-state actors, and not for non-state actors.
