The human right to education guarantees every child access to quality schools and services without discrimination, including quality teachers and curricula, and safe and welcoming school environments that respect human dignity. Education must be aimed at developing each child’s personality and abilities to his or her fullest potential and preparing each child to participate in society and do work that is rewarding. 2 The UN Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights has stated: "As an empowerment right, education is the primary vehicle by which economically and socially marginalized adults and children can lift themselves out of poverty, and obtain the means to participate fully in their communities." 3 Individuals cannot exercise their civil, political, economic and social rights unless they have received a certain minimum education. The right to education is guaranteed under numerous United Nations documents including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).
EDUCATION MUST BE...
AVAILABLE - ensuring free and compulsory education for all children by providing adequate school facilities, competitive teacher salaries, teaching materials that meet the needs of the students, and resources such as libraries, computers, and information technology.
ACCESSIBLE - guaranteeing equal access to education irrespective of race, gender, nationality, ethnic or social origin. This includes ensuring physical access (facilities are within close proximity to students) and economic access (transportation and other basic costs must be affordable).
ACCEPTABLE - guaranteeing the quality of education by providing quality, culturally appropriate curricula and teaching methods, ensuring that schools meet standards for health and safety, and that disciplinary policies respect a child’s dignity.
ADAPTABLE - responding and adjusting to the best interests of each child within his/her diverse social and cultural setting, such as students from different class, racial, and cultural backgrounds, students who do not speak the primary language of the school system, homeless students, students in foster care, and students with disabilities.1