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Human Rights
In 1948, the United Nations General Assembly signed the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR). This document expresses the most basic rights for every citizen of the world. Article 26 of the UDHR states: (1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
(2) 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 all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
Education as a human right doesn’t stop with the UDHR. Other human rights documents reaffirm education as a human right. These documents include the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Convention on the Rights of the Child was agreed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989 and was ratified by 191 out of 193 countries, making it a truly global bill of rights. Only the United States and Somalia have yet to ratify the Rights of the Child. The Convention on the Rights of the Child states that countries should make “primary education compulsory and available free to all.” However, many countries continue to charge fees for schooling. These fees keep many children out of school. Although these fees can be small, as little as $50-$100 a year, the cash expense is too much for poor families and orphaned children to afford. Did you know that…
Download these cool fact sheets:Global Education Action Week this year is themed “Education as a Human Right.” Find out how you can get involved>>
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