British aid to private schools in developing countries could violate human rights

The union is backing an international campaign which is concerned that British government support for the growth of private schools across Africa and south Asia is limiting opportunities for the poorest children.

International and British organisations, including teaching unions, have joined campaigners from countries including Kenya, Uganda and Ghana to condemn the increased use of British aid money to support for-profit primary schools, which they say are fuelling inequality, creating segregation and undermining the right to education.

The campaign has submitted reports to two United Nations human rights committees (the Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) assessing the legality of the UK's support for-profit private schools in developing countries. Both committees are currently reviewing the reports.

A UK government report conceded that girls are less likely to access private schools than boys and that in low-fee private schools teachers are generally unqualified and poorly trained

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'UCU backs this campaign because we believe it is in no way justifiable to spend Britain's aid budget lining the pockets of multinational companies. These schools are not accessible to the poorest people or to certain groups such as girls, and they do not guarantee high-quality education.'