Education is not a privilege, it’s a legal right

By Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director General for Education, UNESCO

Education is like a seed. And for this empowering right to flourish and grow, it must have the best conditions. Education must not only be accessible to all, it must be of the highest quality. And it is not a privilege to be bestowed by a government, it is a legal right for everyone – children, youth and adults.

This looks good on paper yet is far from being a reality for millions around the world. Today less than 1 in 5 countries legally guarantee 12 years of free and compulsory education.

As we mark the 70th year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, there are still 262 million children out of school, and more than 750 million youth and adults unable to read and write. This is unacceptable and countries must ensure that the millions of people left behind have access to the powerful seed of education they are entitled to.

That is why UNESCO has launched a new #RightToEducation digital campaign to focus global attention on this crucial issue and make the right to education a priority everywhere.

There are many things blocking the road – legal, economic, social and cultural barriers. We must remove them all and ensure that countries that have signed up to international conventions and agreements are putting them into practice. They must be held accountable.

The 2017/8 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report showed the importance of accountability in addressing persistent education problems, which starts with governments, as primary duty bearers of the right to education. It stressed the fact that citizens who know about their rights may be able to challenge violations made by governments in court, but found that this is possible only in 55% of countries.

What is happening in your country?

Now you know that education is a human right protected by law and guaranteed to all by the State, how is your country advancing this right? You can check by using UNESCO’s global Observatory which provides valuable data of the right to education in 195 Member States. And you can engage in making education a reality for everyone.

Join UNESCO’s campaign and speak up for the voiceless.

Everyone can make a difference – students, parents, teachers, journalists, policy-makers, lawyers and more – by changing mindsets, sharing powerful messages, influencing decision-making, supporting peers and standing up for the rights of others when it comes to education.

Simple everyday actions can have a big impact. Here are some ideas on how to get involved. Use the power of your social networks to spread the word. Think of creative ways to advance the right to education in your school and community. Above all, make sure that the seed continues to grow and that its fruits are available to everyone, everywhere.

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11 comments

  1. It is a relevant and well-documented call. Unfortunately, in most countries, political and economic reasons support educational policies aimed at perpetuating the status quo and inequality. The universalization of high quality education as a right for all (not an obligation, only an opportunity), including all levels from pre-school to postgraduate, should be a global challenge led by organizations such as Unesco.

  2. In America, even though we avoid this question, Education is not a constitutional right. There are many Conservatives who believe it is an earned privilege, which is why they have been emphasizing home schooling, vouchers, charter schools et al—to create an educational system for students who are sufficiently advantaged or who have earned admittance to programs by their demonstrated ability. This leaves the most economically and socially disadvantaged students in dire educational situations—failing situations—and their are Republican state legislators in our country who believe we should stop “wasting taxpayer dollars” on these failing schools. American Conservatives, the vast majority of whom claim to be Christians, will continue to turn their backs on the poor, and there is nothing to stop them legally. In the USA, education is NOT a legal right.

  3. Itis not enough to put these rights in delaratinos orlaws,put more important than that is to have the powerful will and determination to put it inpractice and make it a-daily-felt realty.

  4. I completely agree with you, education is not a privilege, but a legal right. It’s very important that everyone can get it, as this is the key to a successful future. In our time in the field of education, there are many changes and innovations to make the educational process easier and more effective. There are many applications for learning languages ​​and other subjects, as well as services that make reviews of student assistance companies, like this one https://pickthewriter.com/ All this to make children and students feel safe and supported in the educational process.

  5. Perfect..”Education is not a privilege, it’s a legal rights”.
    But many peoples or counties makes education is a profitable business and they are running or ruling in this sector.

  6. Our ancestors didn’t have education. They were hunter gatherers in Africa and sure they told legends and stories but why do I have to go somewhere I don’t want to be when I could be doing better things.

  7. Absolutely agree. I would like to share that Indonesia commits to provide access to education for all citizens, including those who live in remote places and islands. In the past, we may hear ‘students go to schools/colleges’, but now it becomes the schools/colleges go to student houses” through distance learning system.

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