The right to education

72 million children do not have access to basic education and 759 million adults in the world are illiterate because they have never got any education. They are all being deprived their basic human right: The right to education.

The right to education is a fundamental human right. Every individual, irrespective of race, gender, nationality, ethnic or social origin, religion or political preference, age or disability, is entitled to a free elementary education. This right has been universally recognised since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 and has since been enshrined in various international conventions, national constitutions and development plans.

Access and quality

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights does not only state the right to access education, but also of the quality of education: "... Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among ... racial or religious groups. ..." (Article 26)

Therefore it is important to work both for increased access and quality.

Essential for other rights

Education is a fundamental human right and essential for the exercise of all other human rights. It promotes individual freedom and empowerment and yields important development benefits.

Education is a powerful tool by which economically and socially marginalized adults and children can lift themselves out of poverty and participate fully as citizens.

  • Girls and education

    Over the past decade there have been great improvements in narrowing the gender gap in education. Still, estimates today show that 54 per cent of the 72 million children out of school are girls. This has far-reaching negative implications for development.

  • Education in crisis

    Conflict, natural disasters and other difficult circumstances present major obstacles to achieving the Millennium Development Goal of providing universal primary education by 2015.

  • Education and language

    To receive education in your mother tongue, is a human right. Still language barriers are one of many barriers to education.

  • Education to achieve sustainable development

    Sustainable development is seeking to meet the needs of the present without compromising those of future generations.

  • Education Quality

    Imagine a textbook written in an unfamiliar language to you, or a blackboard with no chalk. Imagine also children heading off to school on a road that is insecure for children and for girls in particular who may risk being attacked. In a number of developing countries, poor education quality is the main reason for high drop out and low learning achievement.