On 6th August 2025, together with OMEP Ireland and the DCU Early Childhood Research Centre, we shared a letter calling for Ireland’s endorsement of the initiative underway for a new optional protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to strengthen the right to free education with:
- Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Harris TD,
- Minister for International Development and Diaspora Neale Richmond TD,
- Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee TD,
- Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley TD, and
- the Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon.
The proposed new optional protocol would address the gap left by the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child, which guarantees all children a right to free primary education, but says nothing about early childhood care and education or pre-primary education, and does not require governments to make secondary education free for all children.
Ireland already exceeds the minimum standards envisioned by the proposed new treaty. Yet, despite the support from over 50 countries, Ireland has not yet expressed its support for the initiative. By backing the new treaty, Ireland has an opportunity to lead by example and advocate for free education internationally.
In particular, we urged Ireland to participate during the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the optional protocol from 1st to 4th September 2025 in Geneva, and to make a strong statement on the first day during the general debate, emphasising Ireland’s support to advance this vital initiative.
This support is vital: For millions of children around the world, the cost of education remains one of the most significant barriers to education (see the World Bank’s Global Findex). And – although nearly 90 percent of children now complete primary education worldwide – only 59 percent complete secondary education, and only half of pre-primary-aged children attend preschool (2024/25 GEM Report, UNESCO, chapters 7 to 9) with the youngest children (under age of three) having little access to early childhood care and education services of high quality (UNESCO GEM Report on ECCE).
We’re grateful for OMEP Ireland and the DCU ECRC for their partnership and support strengthening the campaign for Free Education Worldwide.
We are now hopeful for positive responses from the departments and opportunities for engagement.
We invite you to support the campaign by sharing this news through your own networks.
Learn more about the campaign on our campaign page or with this info sheet. And read our submission to the OHCHR with our recommendations for the intergovernmental working group.
