University of Pretoria’s UNESCO Chair in Education Law in Africa, Professor Ann Skelton, plays integral part in the compilation of the Abidjan Principles

Posted on March 22, 2019

The University of Pretoria is proud to announce that Professor Ann Skelton, the UNESCO Chair in Education Law in Africa, situated in the Faculty of Law, has played an integral role in the compilation of the Abidjan Principles which were officially released yesterday, 21 March 2019.

The Abidjan Principles, which were adopted mid February 2019 in Côte d’Ivoire, unpack States' obligation to provide public education and regulate private involvement in education, whilst respecting liberties and dignity in education, and simultaneously regulating private actors in education. It promises to be the new reference point for governments, educators and education providers when debating the respective roles and duties of states and private actors in education. They compile and unpack existing legal obligations that States have regarding the delivery of education, and in particular the role and limitations of private actors in the provision of education. The Principles provide more details about what international human rights law means by drawing from other sources of law and existing authoritative interpretations.

As Chair of the Drafting Committee of the Abidjan Principles, Professor Skelton played a vital role in the consultations and compilations of the Abidjan Principles.  The Drafting Committee, consisting of nine members, has been meeting since June 2018 to finalise the Abidjan Principles for adoption.  Their mandate was to unpack information received through consultations with and commentary from experts, as well as authoritative interpretations, which were utilised to compile international human rights law principles and provide guidance on the implementation in practice in the context of the rapid expansion of private sector involvement in education.

After the official adoption of the Abidjan Principles on South Africa’s Human Rights Day, 21 March 2019, the text of each Principle will be presented with commentary and key resources.   The Abidjan Principles will be available in full in the adoption languages as follows, and will be translated in other languages.

Another member of the group of experts with a link to the University of Pretoria is Dr Faranaaz Veriava. She is an extraordinary lecturer in the Department of Private Law and is the Head of Basic Education at Section27

Professor Ann Skelton is also a United Nations Member on the Rights of the Child.

From 12 to 13 February 2019, the Abidjan Principles on the human rights obligations of States to provide public education and to regulate private involvement in education were adopted in Côte d’Ivoire, following a three-year participatory consultation and drafting process.

For any media enquiries or interviews, please contact Prof Ann Skelton on mobile 082 443 2702 or [email protected].

 

Image and caption source:  https://www.abidjanprinciples.org/

- Author Elzet Hurter

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