TEACHING unions attacked the government’s use of aid money to fund private schools in developing countries yesterday as a breach of human rights.

The National Union of Teachers (NUT), Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) and University and College Union (UCU) were among an international coalition of organisations condemning British investment in for-profit schools in Asia and Africa.

They warned that comprehensive, public education as a human right could come under threat.

A report produced by the organisations was submitted to United Nations committee on the rights of the child and committee on economic, social and cultural rights.

UCU general secretary Sally Hunt said: “It is in no way justifiable to spend Britain’s aid budget lining the pockets of multinational companies.

“There is clear evidence these schools are not accessible to the poorest in the population and to certain groups, such as girls, and that they do not guarantee high-quality education.

“We are fighting the same battle in this country, as the government has opened the doors to low quality, for-profit providers in post-16 education.”

The report found that for-profit schools could deepen social inequality in countries such as Kenya, Uganda and Ghana.

The aid spending may itself be deemed a human rights violation, because research has revealed that education standards are not being respected at these private schools, which hire unqualified or poorly trained teachers.

A Department for International Development spokesman insisted: “It is absolutely right that we work to find ways to reach those who are missing out on an education where state provision is weak or non-existent.

“We will continue to work with a range of education partners to ensure the best possible results and value for taxpayers’ money.”