The Global Initiative for Economic, Social and cultural Rights (GI-ESCR), together with 16 civil society organisations (CSOs) released a joint statement in response to a recent report by the International Development Committee (IDC) of the UK House of Commons, entitled ‘Investment for development - The UK’s Strategy towards Development Finance Initiatives,’ which raises major concerns about the UK’s investments as part of development aid.  

In our response to the report, GI-ESCR and the signatory organisations working on education share and reiterate the Committee’s concerns and call on British International Investment (BII) to uphold the right to education by taking the following steps: 

• Formally commit to cease investments in for-profit schooling including through intermediated investments: there is a growing consensus that public funds should not support for-profit education. BII should follow the decision of IFC and commit to ceasing all direct and indirect investments in for-profit preschool through secondary education provision, and should cease to provide policy advice in this area. 
• Exit investments in New Globe Schools/ Bridge International Academies: In light of the documented concerns about the behaviour and operations of Bridge International Academies, we reiterate our call that BII exit in the shortest possible time from its investments in the company and refrain from making any future investments. BII should fulfil its legal due diligence obligations and responsibilities, investigate concerns about the company’s behaviour and take action to respond to the harms caused by these investments.
• Ensure all investments in education support the right to education, comply with human rights standards, and contribute to strengthening the public education system in host countries, as well as supporting good governance, democratic control, transparency and accountability. The UK Government should commit to supporting the development of free, quality, public education systems in line with its commitment to the achievement of SDG4 by 2030. 

Read and download the full statement below.