In collaboration with 10 civil society organisations (CSOs), we submitted updates and recommendations to the UN Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (CESCR) as part of the upcoming 7th Review of the UK by the Committee.

This update builds on the initial report submitted in January 2023 by a coalition of organisations worldwide, including UK-based organisations, organisations based in the Global South, and international organisations.

The updates address critical concerns regarding the UK’s international development cooperation in education, including:

· Parliamentary Concerns: Major issues raised by the International Development Committee of the UK Parliament about the UK’s Overseas Development Aid (ODA) investments.

· Investigation Findings Ignored: The UK’s lack of response to findings from investigations conducted by the International Finance Corporation (IFC)’s Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO).

· Unanswered Questions: The absence of UK responses to CESCR’s inquiries on its international development cooperation in education.

· Private Education Investments: An update on the UK’s continued investments in fee-charging private education despite the human rights implications.

The report provides actionable recommendations to align the UK’s international development practices with its human rights obligations, particularly in ensuring global equitable access to quality public education.

This submission underscores the ongoing need for accountability and action to address the concerns raised and ensure that international development efforts contribute to realising the right to education for all.

Read the submission here: