Standing up for quality public education on International Students' Day
International Students’ Day, celebrated on 17th November, has long been associated with student activism against human rights’ violations. This year we, a group of students and recent graduates, feel compelled to draw attention to the perilous position of the right to education worldwide – with public education underfunded and privatisation on the rise. These are our stories and our call to action.
We are five students and recent graduates from India, Turkey, England, Spain and the United States of America. Each of us firmly believes that we need to resist the move towards the ever-increasing privatisation of education. We therefore felt compelled to join a global movement to reclaim public education.
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
In hope of a brighter future
The issues around the privatisation of education that we have seen in our own contexts are not revelatory. They are replicated across the world. In fact, extensive evidence demonstrates how the commodification of education can stand in conflict with the right to education for all. We are firm believers that only well-funded public education systems can deliver equitable and good quality education worldwide.
As young people, we acutely feel that our world stands on the brink – with polarisation and conflicts spreading, misinformation abounding and an impending climate crisis. Now, more than ever, we need a well-informed and active citizenry, able to tackle humanity’s collective challenges.
Yet, we are hopeful, as we see movements that are emerging voicing our same concerns. It was reassuring to join a global movement of civil society organisations, students, parents, teachers, academics and human rights advocates collectively advocating for well-funded, quality, public education. We are part of a group who united around a vision of a future where everyone can attend a free, inclusive, good quality public school.
Both individuals and organisations can join our movement by signing our Reclaiming Public Education statement, and amplifying similar causes, including Education International’s Go Public! Fund Education campaign and the global tax justice movement. We call on everyone to act now for us to collectively work towards sustainable, just and peaceful societies for all.
The opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect any official policies or positions of Education International.