Geneva (Switzerland), 1st-3rd September 2025 | At the Palais des Nations in Geneva, the first session of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group took place, tasked with exploring the possibility of drafting an optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the right to early childhood education, free pre-primary education, and free secondary education.

OIDEL actively participated in the discussions, bringing its expertise in the field of the right to education. In its statements, OIDEL highlighted the importance of ensuring not only the availability and accessibility of education, but also its adaptability and acceptability, particularly for children belonging to minorities or non-mainstream groups.

OIDEL also recalled that the Convention on the Rights of the Child recognizes the essential role of parents in guiding and supporting their children in the exercise of their rights. In this respect, non-governmental schools, and in particular non-profit schools founded by parents, faith-based organizations, or NGOs, play a crucial role. They allow children to understand who they are, to preserve their language, values, and traditions, and to receive an education that respects their cultural identity.

OIDEL further stressed the need to distinguish between for-profit private schools and non-profit schools. The latter often serve as a pillar of the right to education, especially in remote areas, conflict situations, or after natural disasters. Excluding them from public funding would place a disproportionate burden on families and could undermine the protection of minority rights.

For this reason, OIDEL encouraged States and the international community to consider a public funding model that supports all schools providing education as a public good or service, and not exclusively state schools.

The session concluded with a consensus on the urgency of guaranteeing free pre-primary and secondary education, a commitment to continue consultations in the coming months, and the scheduling of a second session of the Working Group from 31 August to 4 September 2026.