Ei-iE

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Fighting the commercialisation of education

Education is a human right and a public good that can be fully realised only through the provision of free, equitable, inclusive, quality public education. The growing commercialisation and privatisation in and of the sector is the greatest threat to the universal right to education.

Across the world, corporate interests are striving to transform all levels of education, from early childhood to higher education, into yet another market with winners and losers. As private-sector management models are applied to education institutions, employment conditions in the sector are being undermined. As low-fee, low-quality private schools expand rapidly, there is a risk that governments abrogate their responsibility to ensure the right to education for all. Unaccountable corporations have undue influence on education policies and institutions. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this trend which risks transforming education into a commodity, favouring profit over quality education.

As educators, we put students before profit. In 2015 we launched our Global Response to the Commercialisation and Privatisation of Education. Through this campaign, we work to expose and challenge the policies and practices of governments, intergovernmental organisations and international financial institutions which undermine public education and the rights and status of teachers and education support personnel. We also resist global corporate actors, especially education technology providers, who push the commercialisation and privatisation in and of education.

Our work in this area

  1. News 23 September 2024

    Uruguay: An urgent call to defend public education

    In a world facing a global teacher shortage, where the privatisation and commercialisation of education undermine the value of public service, Education International’s Go Public! Fund Education campaign stands as a vital movement. Led by the teaching profession, it is working to protect and strengthen public education across Latin America...

    Uruguay: An urgent call to defend public education
  2. News 23 August 2024

    Senegal: Mobilizing for education funding

    In Senegal more than 3 million children either do not go to state school or find it very difficult to go to school. Insufficient public funding for education is a major obstacle to quality education for all.

    Senegal: Mobilizing for education funding
  3. Worlds of Education 30 July 2024

    The fight for public education and universities in present-day Argentina

    Yamile Socolovsky

    Public education in Argentina is under threat from a political agenda that has made its way into the national government and aims to – in the words of President Javier Milei himself – “destroy the state from within”. Arguing that the state is a “criminal organisation” that attacks freedom (of...

    The fight for public education and universities in present-day Argentina
  4. News 28 July 2024

    Joining forces to protect Higher Education: A stand for democracy and rights

    Further and higher education and research are human rights and the responsibility of the State. They require sustainable public funding to fulfill their public mission. This message was loud and clear as the Higher Education Caucus gathered on July 28 to address the pressing challenges confronting the sector.

    Joining forces to protect Higher Education: A stand for democracy and rights
  5. News 26 June 2024

    Mongolia: Campaign leads to salary increase for teachers and education workers and more support for students

    Through a series of campaigns in the past year led by the Federation of Mongolian Education and Science Unions (FMESU) significant reforms across multiple educational sectors have led to a salary increase for teachers and education workers, more support for students’ well-being, and a focus on infrastructure for higher education.

    Mongolia: Campaign leads to salary increase for teachers and education workers and more support for students
  6. News 18 June 2024

    Mongolia: Union launches nationwide call to invest in education

    The Federation of Mongolian Education and Science Unions (FMESU), Education International (EI) national affiliate, has held a series of events to call for respect for teachers’ rights and increased investment in education. It also addressed critical challenges in the education sector, such as teacher shortages, inadequate infrastructure, and the provision...

    Mongolia: Union launches nationwide call to invest in education
  7. News 13 June 2024

    Public education in Cape Verde: A union call for investment

    In the archipelago nation of Cape Verde, a recent round of negotiations between the government and teachers’ unions has brought to light the critical need for increased funding in public education. Despite reaching consensus on some demands, the two parties remain at an impasse over salary updates, with the unions...

    Public education in Cape Verde: A union call for investment
  8. Statements 10 June 2024

    Education International calls on the World Bank Board to provide remedy and compensation for harm done to students and teachers at Bridge International Academies

    Students at the International Financing Corporation-funded Bridge International Academies (Bridge) in Kenya were sexually abused, maimed, and killed. Staff had their labour rights routinely violated. They now all deserve remedy and compensation.

    Education International calls on the World Bank Board to provide remedy and compensation for harm done to students and teachers at Bridge International Academies
  9. News 6 June 2024

    Campaigning for education funding in Cameroon: new energy to transform education

    As Cameroon prepares for a crucial election year, education unions - the Fédération Camerounaise des Syndicats de l’Éducation (FECASE) and the Fédération des Syndicats de l'Enseignement et de la Recherche (FESER) - are mobilising to make the funding of public education a national priority. Spearheaded by Education International's Go public!...

    Campaigning for education funding in Cameroon: new energy to transform education
  10. News 23 May 2024

    Education Support Personnel in the crossfire: New research highlights the consequences of privatization and funding shortfalls

    In a comprehensive new report titled "Carrying the Community: Addressing the Consequences of Privatization and Funding Shortfalls for Education Support Personnel," Education International (EI) has brought to light the critical challenges faced by Education Support Personnel (ESP) due to increasing privatization and funding cuts in public education.

    Education Support Personnel in the crossfire: New research highlights the consequences of privatization and funding shortfalls
  11. News 16 May 2024

    Japan: Union demands changes to address teacher workload and well-being

    As Japanese educators face daunting workloads and extended hours, the Japanese Teachers’ Union has launched the campaign, "Schools in Crisis! Sustainable School System for Quality Education and Educators' Well-being," to advocate for comprehensive reforms, including increased funding and systemic changes in public education.

    Japan: Union demands changes to address teacher workload and well-being
  12. Worlds of Education 16 May 2024

    Carrying the community: how privatization and funding shortfalls are affecting Education Support Personnel

    Anja Giudici, Lucas Cone

    In November 2023, the North Tyneside Council in England announced that it would withdraw from providing catering to local schools. In August that year, lawmakers in Austin, Texas, passed a law allowing unlicensed chaplains to work as school counsellors, while in March in Gauteng, staff working in South Africa’s National...

    Carrying the community: how privatization and funding shortfalls are affecting Education Support Personnel
  13. News 14 May 2024

    World Education Support Personnel Day: Honoring their essential role for quality, inclusive education

    On May 16th, World Education Support Personnel (ESP) Day, Education International (EI) and its member organizations reiterate that education professionals – like teaching assistants, school nurses, cafeterias workers, maintenance crews, and bus drivers – play a crucial role in ensuring quality education and a safe learning environment.

    World Education Support Personnel Day: Honoring their essential role for quality, inclusive education
  14. News 14 May 2024

    2024 World Education Support Personnel Day: Communications' toolkit

    Celebrating the crucial role of Education Support Personnel for quality education for all. Education Support Personnel (ESP), a range of professionals like teaching assistants, school nurses, cafeterias workers, maintenance crews, and bus drivers, play a crucial role in ensuring quality education and a safe learning environment.

    2024 World Education Support Personnel Day: Communications' toolkit
  15. News 13 May 2024

    Development cooperation and the push for privatization of education in Latin America: A view from the front lines

    The Director of the Education International Latin America (EILA) regional office, Combertty Rodríguez, offered a detailed analysis of the growing trend towards the privatization of education in Latin America, revealing the complexities and challenges facing education unionists and public education systems amidst political, economic, and social pressures. He was adamant...

    Development cooperation and the push for privatization of education in Latin America: A view from the front lines