Bonton Danton, Email: [email protected]
Geneva, December 12, 2025 Today, the United Nations hosted a high-level global consultation on strengthening the right to free education. Member States gathered at the Palaisdes Nations to consider a proposed Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). H.E. Ambassador Samuel U.B. Saffa ESQ. of Sierra Leone Chair-Rapporteur of the OE-IGWG chaired the meeting, with support from the Core Group.
Over 70 states participated, reflecting the growing international interest in creating a new legally binding instrument that would address the persistent gaps in global education rights. Ambassador Saffa welcomed the broad engagement and extended special recognition to Malawi for joining the Core Group.
A highlight of the consultation was Professor Klaus Beiter’spresentation, in which he assessed the full range of soft- and hard-law options for strengthening the right to education. He concluded that an Optional Protocol is the strongest and most coherent mechanism to guarantee free pre-primary and secondary education globally.
Sierra Leone’s presidential spokesman, H.E. Dr. Alhaji Sahid Bakr Kanu, highlighted the transformative impact of his country’s free, quality school education program. He also emphasized Sierra Leone’s belief that a binding global framework is crucial for ensuring universal access to free, inclusive, and equitable learning.
Colombia and several other delegations shared national experiences, and many states reaffirmed their support for moving toward a treaty process. Others requested continued dialogue on implementation, financing, and national contexts.
The outcome of today’s consultation will inform the Chair-Rapporteur’s report to the Human Rights Council in June 2026, prior to the OE-IGWG’s next session, which is scheduled for 31 August – 4 September 2026.
