A/70/342 Principle of participation 85. The principle of participation means exercising democratic citizenship, actively participating in the development of a country through a human rights -based approach. It does not mean profit-making while participating in education. No for-profit educational establishments should be allowed to operate in the name of participation in the education system. Principle of social interest in education 86. When a private entity operates in education in collaboration with a public entity, the larger cause of education as a social good should not be compromised. The provision of education cannot be made subservient to private interests. Education is a public good and a social cause and public-private partnerships must be protected from the growing influence of a market-based model of private education. 87. Governments should ensure that public-private partnerships in education do not lead to the private sector building a stronghold in the education system through a process that is in fact geared to the advantage of private partners to the detriment of public education institutions and the public interest in education. 88. The norms and principles underlying the right to education should be fully respected in any arrangements of public-private partnerships in education. That should be the overriding concern in considering any proposal for such partnerships, in giving shape to them and throughout their operation. Principles of social justice and equity 89. Public-private partnerships in education also present a number of concerns relating to social justice and human rights. States must ensure that education is valued and safeguarded as a public good. The principle of social justice, which is at the core of the global mission of the United Nations to promote development and human dignity, also underpins human rights. Principle of progressive realization of the right to education as a State responsibility 90. The growing involvement of the private sector in education has come about because some States have been unable to adequately fund and develop their public education systems. However, when private providers, in partnership with Governments or alone, provide education, such provision must be considered merely to be a first step in the progressive realization of the right to education. Public planners must ensure that public-private partnerships or fee-based education systems are eliminated over time to avoid the inherent inequalities that such systems produce. 91. If a State enters into partnership with private providers, it must progressively assume full responsibility for the provision of education, as in the case of community schools built or run in collaboration with local authorities, which the Government takes over at a later date. Collaboration based on social interest in education can lead to public education systems being reinforced through public private partnerships. 23 16/25 15-12538