Learning Session on National-Level Evidence on Fiscal Justice: Upholding the Right to Education and Addressing the Detriments of Privatisation

On 14 December 2023, in a compelling virtual event, global experts and advocates shed light on the paramount importance of fiscal justice in safeguarding the right to education while countering the challenges posed by privatisation. Organised by the Task Force on Tax Justice, Education and Privatisation, led by GI-ESCR, within the Privatisation in Education and Human Rights Consortium (PEHRC), this gathering served as a platform for informed discussions and insights. The event was attended by 37 participants.

Key Objectives and Presenters: 

The event's primary objective was to introduce key elements of tax justice and showcase positive national-level examples of how fiscal justice can serve as a powerful tool for adequately financing public education and mitigating the adverse consequences of privatisation. 

Distinguished presenters included: 

• Juana Barragán, Programme Officer on the Right to Education at GI-ESCR 
• Carolina Finette, Researcher and Advocate (Human Rights and Education) at Tax Justice Network 
• Ashina Mtsumi, Coordinator of the TaxEd Alliance (ActionAid) 
• Ucizi Ngulube, Project Coordinator at TaxEd Alliance (ActionAid Zambia) 
• Tamara Montalvo Rueda, Regional Coordinator Fiscal Justice and Education at CLADE 
• Pedi Anawi, Coordinator at Education International’s Africa regional office  
• Dr. Maria Ron Balsera, Director of Program at the Center for Economic and Social Rights  

Agenda: 

The event's agenda was thoughtfully structured to encompass various dimensions of the topic: 

• Opening Remarks: Juana Barragán initiated the proceedings, setting the tone for an enlightening discourse. She highlighted the Task Force's vision and underscored the overarching objectives of the event. 
• Introduction to Key Elements on Fiscal Justice: Carolina Finette provided a comprehensive overview of tax justice, emphasising its potential to positively impact human rights and education. She introduced the 5 Rs framework, focusing on Revenue, Redistribution, Repricing, Representation, and Reparation.
• Interlinking Fiscal Justice, Education, and Privatisation: Ashina Mtsumi examined the intricate relationship between fiscal justice, education, and privatisation. She underlined the 4 principles that should guide budgetary policies for the right to education. Education budget must increase in size, share, sensitivity and scrutiny. She highlighted the detrimental effects of privatising education and the need for progressive and fair taxation to reverse privatisation and commercialisation of education. 

• National-level Findings:  

• Ucizi Ngulube showed how debt and austerity have shrunk the share of the education budget in Zambia and given rise to public-private partnerships (PPPs) in education. He recommended progressive and gender-responsive fair taxation, minimising the risks of PPPs as well as transparency and accountability in public finance among others. 
• Tamara Montalvo Rueda shared the Latin American and Carribean experience showing how education budgets are inadequate and how the rich representing the minority concentrate the majority of resources. She recommended transparency, debt cancellation and the strengthening of the fiscal administration among others. 
• Pedi Anawi highlighted the initiatives carried out in Senegal around tax justice for education. They consisted of budget analysis, capacity-building and awareness-raising, etc.
• Conclusion: Dr. Maria Ron Balsera, in her closing remarks, encapsulated the key takeaways from the session, emphasising the pivotal role of fiscal justice in addressing social inequalities and championing human rights. 

Key Insights and Outcomes: 

Throughout the event, several critical insights emerged: 

• Tax justice is a cornerstone of achieving equality and social justice, requiring fair taxation on wealthier members of society and multinational corporations. 
• Progressive taxation, transparency, and accountability are essential components of tax justice. 
• Privatisation of education poses significant challenges, driven by neoliberal economic policies, deregulation, and investment incentives. 
• Austerity measures and debt crises have led to budget cuts in education, exacerbating teacher shortages and compromising educational quality. 
• Advocacy efforts focus on promoting progressive, gender-responsive taxation, increasing public financing for education, and minimizing the risks associated with public-private partnerships (PPPs). 

In Summary: 

The learning session underscored the critical role of fiscal justice in shaping the future of education. It emphasised the need for informed decisions, political commitment, and global cooperation to create fair and equitable fiscal systems that support education and combat privatisation. 

For more information and resources on fiscal justice, taxation, and education, stay tuned for further updates from the Tax Justice task force.