On 16 April, in line with our mission to challenge harmful narratives and defend public education against the growing threat of privatisation, we took part in the Political Learning Session on Education and Privatisation hosted by the Global Campaign for Education (GCE).

Our Programme Officer on the Right to Education, Juana Barragán Díaz, joined a distinguished panel of education advocates and experts to discuss the political and financial pressures undermining the right to education worldwide.

The event aimed to raise awareness of current privatisation trends and their impact on public education systems and the realisation of the human right to education. Alongside Barragán, the panel featured voices from key organisations in the field: Antonia Wulf (Education International), Maha Shoaib (GCE-US), Giovanna Mode (GCE), Andressa Pellandra (Brazilian Campaign on the Right to Education), Thais Iervolino (CLADE), Areebah Shahid (Pakistan Youth Change Advocates), and Dominic Suah (Teachers Union, Liberia).

Speaking from a human rights perspective, Barragán reaffirmed that public education is not just a service—it is a fundamental right and a cornerstone of democracy and social justice. She stressed the urgent need to shift public discourse to reflect this understanding and to counteract the growing influence of corporate-led education models.

Barragán also addressed the structural causes that weaken public education systems, including austerity measures, tax injustice, unsustainable debt, and the expanding privatisation agenda. She emphasised that these forces divert vital resources away from public institutions and deepen inequality. 'We must finance public education through progressive fiscal reforms that prioritise rights over profit,' she said.

Highlighting the strategic importance of narrative change, she called for storytelling that connects with people’s lived realities, values, and aspirations. She stated that changing the narratives is not optional; it’s essential for building pressure, holding governments accountable, and reclaiming education as a collective good.

As the global education justice movement continues to grow, events like this session offer a critical space for learning, solidarity, and action. We remain committed to ensuring that education is treated not as a commodity, but as a right for all.

Missed the event? You can watch the livestream here.