Ei-iE

I have seen privatisation drive school segregation and deepen inequalities. Schooling has been transformed from a public service into a market-driven industry, privileging wealthier families. As someone who received a private school scholarship, I witnessed the sharp divide in educational opportunities. Friends from my lower-income neighbourhood, attending increasingly underfunded local public schools, often couldn't even imagine applying to university. Meanwhile, I received tailored coaching to apply. We all have the right to attend free, quality public schools. In my view, if we want to deliver the right to education for all, the best route is to strengthen our public education systems.

Dilara, Turkey

In India, privatisation is often framed as the solution to achieve the right to education by improving ‘access’ to schools. But the right to education goes far beyond getting children into school: equality, equity and the quality of education play a vital role in this process. Since 2009, across India, 25% of seats in private schools have been reserved for students from economically disadvantaged communities. However, the policy has been riddled with problems. I have even heard of these students being provided with lower-quality education separate from their wealthier peers in the same private school. Low-fee private schools specifically do not increase educational opportunities for the most marginalised children nor guarantee quality education. Public schools are also in crisis, but private alternatives give “ false promises” with regards to solving the issues at hand.

Training to teach in Catalonia, where public-private partnerships are common, I had direct experience of the impact of privatisation in education. I completed three internships. First, in a private preschool, I shadowed a teacher visibly frustrated by the limited autonomy and the need to adhere to business-driven priorities. Whereas, in two public schools, I saw how teachers were able to focus on prioritising students’ needs. However, I noticed negative narratives among the parents at the two public schools: private schools were referred to as higher quality institutions, with public ones being perceived as worse. I also noted that middle-class parents often use public-private partnership schools to avoid underfunded public schools. I realised that insufficient funding in public education creates negative perceptions, prompting some parents to ‘exit’ the system and deepening social segregation.

With the right funding, public education can be popular among families. So, in my opinion, the solution is clear: more funding for public education. This will help to improve the quality of education for all and change the narrative on public education.

Marina, Spain

The diversion of public funds to private schools via charter schools significantly affects the resources available to public schools, and thus their ability to deliver quality education. During my education, I attended both private, charter, and public schools to try to gain the best quality education. Had the public options been well-funded, my parents would not have sought out alternatives, which not all families can do.

However, rather than direct more funds to public education, the opposite seems to be on the horizon with Trump’s aim to defund public schools. I firmly believe that to create equitable access to quality education, we need to sufficiently fund public education systems, which we can do through tax justice.

Mairead, United States of America

As I was growing up, I saw the expansion of public-private partnerships in education. I also saw the creation of a large body of evidence pointing to the negative effects of these policies: accountability and transparency issues preventing the public from scrutinising the use of public money, “ profiteering” to the tune of many millions, and communities lacking a voice. I strongly believe that the privatisation of education threatens accountability, transparency and participation, which are key for the realisation of the right to education. Enforced, “ strong regulation” will help to protect this right, but we ultimately need to prioritise our public education systems.

Ruth, England