Understanding the UN’s Focus on Children’s Education
The United Nations’ Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has accepted a written submission that underscores quality, inclusive, and participatory education as an essential right for all children. The document, co‑authored by Middlesex University academics Dr Angela Scollan and Dr Marie Bradwell, will feed into discussions surrounding a proposed Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (Education). The protocol aims to strengthen the legal framework that protects children from education discrimination and ensures that education is not just a curriculum exercise but a right‑based process.
Why Does This Matter for Policy Makers and Practitioners?
Policy frameworks such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), the UK’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS 2024), the Children Act (1989), and recent SEND reforms are designed to embed children’s rights into everyday schooling. However, gaps often remain between law and lived experience. The submission reveals how those gaps continue to affect children, especially those from marginalised groups, and stresses the importance of listening to children and educators alike.
The Five Core Themes Identified in the Submission
Researchers drew on a portfolio of projects – including Hear Me See Me, SHARMED, Building Knowledge Together, and Child‑UP – to compile five themes that shape children’s access to education. Understanding these themes provides a roadmap for practitioners, policymakers, and scholars looking to create more equitable learning environments.
1. Curriculum Relevance
Children are more engaged when curriculum content reflects their lived realities. The research shows that disconnects between school subjects and everyday life hinder learning outcomes and diminish children’s sense of ownership.
Actionable tip: Evaluate your curriculum through the lens of local cultural practices and language. Conduct focus groups with children and caregivers to identify gaps and opportunities.
2. Relationships and Behaviour
Supportive, responsive relationships are fundamental. Positive teacher‑student interactions and structured behaviour frameworks significantly influence attendance, academic progress, and emotional well‑being.
Actionable tip: Implement restorative‑practice programmes that involve children in deciding outcomes for behavioural incidents.
3. Inclusion and Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND)
Effective inclusion requires more than physical accessibility; it demands intentional pedagogical strategies and collaboration with families. Children with SEND from marginalised groups face disproportionate barriers.
Actionable tip: Create cross‑agency teams that include SEN specialists, community advocates, and young people to co‑design inclusive learning pathways.
4. Agency and Self‑Determination
Participation goes beyond tokenism. Children who actively shape their learning agendas exhibit higher motivation and better outcomes.
Actionable tip: Allocate time each week for children to present projects that reflect interests outside the prescribed curriculum. Record and analyse the impact on engagement.
5. Resourcing
Funding availability, staffing ratios, classroom materials, and play spaces all determine the quality of education. Inconsistencies in resource distribution directly translate into unequal opportunities.
Actionable tip: Conduct an audit of resource allocation at your school or early‑years setting. Use findings to advocate for more balanced investment.
Connecting the UNCRC to Everyday Practice
The submission demonstrates that the UNCRC is not an abstract legal document; it must be operationalised in daily classroom routines. For instance, the right to participation (Article 13) can be reflected in school governance structures that include child representatives.
Practice example: London primary schools have piloted “Child Councils” that meet monthly with governors, offering children direct input into school‑wide decision making.
Implications for Educators
- Integrate child‑voice mechanisms into lesson planning.
- Re‑evaluate staffing ratios to ensure a positive child‑teacher ratio.
- Advocate for inclusive curricular materials that spotlight diverse cultures and lived experiences.
Implications for Researchers
- Publish policy briefs that translate research findings into actionable recommendations for teachers and decision makers.
- Collaborate with early‑years practitioners to conduct rapid‑applied research on inclusion.
- Seek funding specifically earmarked for participatory research with children.
The Bigger Picture: Global Policy Influence and Local Implementation
By submitting evidence that connects classroom realities with international human‑rights law, Middlesex University researchers are bridging the gap between global policy and local practice. The resulting UN Working Group discussions could lead to a refined Optional Protocol that offers concrete, enforceable guidelines for member states.
For early‑years professionals, this means that national education strategies may soon include clearer benchmarks for inclusion and child participation, making it easier to justify resource allocations.
Action Steps for Early Childhood Professionals
1. Review the current curriculum against the UNCRC to identify misalignments.
2. Build a child‑participation taskforce within your setting.
3. Conduct a resourcing audit and document advocacy points.
4. Attend workshops that focus on operationalising human‑rights principles in the classroom.
5. Share findings with your local education authority to influence policy changes.
What Middlesex University Offers
Middlesex University extends support beyond research – it also provides pathways for students to study Early Childhood Studies. Graduates exit the programme with the skills needed to influence both practice and policy.
Learn more about the undergraduate Early Childhood Studies BA (Hons) program on the Middlesex University website. The programme equips students with research methods, policy analysis, and inclusive pedagogies that align with international right‑based frameworks.
Get Involved Today
- Submit your application today to join a generation of educators shaping global child‑rights policy.
- Schedule a free consultation with a programme advisor to explore how you can benefit.
- Explore related research through the university’s Research section and connect with scholars who are driving change.
- Share your experiences and insights in the comments below – your story can inspire the next cohort of child‑rights champions.
- Check out our news archive for updates on policy developments and university initiatives.
