{"id":8353,"date":"2011-03-23T21:19:27","date_gmt":"2011-03-24T04:19:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/humanium.org\/en\/"},"modified":"2025-12-06T16:22:36","modified_gmt":"2025-12-06T16:22:36","slug":"right-to-education","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.humanium.org\/en\/right-to-education\/","title":{"rendered":"Children\u2019s right to education"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Every child has the right to a quality education. This principle is enshrined in international agreements and recognized as crucial for individual and societal development. However, the global reality of <\/strong>children<\/strong><\/a>\u2019s access to education remains complex and challenging. Despite significant progress in recent decades, millions of children worldwide are still deprived of this basic human right due to socioeconomic, cultural, and geographical factors.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Defining the right to education<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Education is a fundamental human right protected by international law. It is recognized in several treaties and declarations, notably Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights<\/a> and Articles 28 and 29 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child<\/a> (United Nations, 1948, 1989). These documents stipulate that everyone is entitled to free and compulsory primary education and to secondary and higher education based on merit (Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies [INEE], n.d.).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The right to education encompasses more than access to schooling. It includes the right to quality education that is inclusive and equitable and promotes the full development of human personality (INEE, n.d.). Education plays a pivotal role in fostering tolerance, understanding, and camaraderie among various nations and diverse racial and religious communities (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization [UNESCO], n.d.).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, the right to education is considered an \u201cempowerment right,\u201d meaning that it is essential for the exercise of other human rights. It contributes to individual freedom, empowerment, and development while advancing societal progress (Right to Education Initiative, 2014). However, the reality for many children worldwide is that their access to quality education falls far short of these ideals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Addressing the global education gap<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As of 2024, approximately 244 million children and youth are out of school globally, including 59 million children of primary school age (Hawkins et al., 2020; UNESCO, 2024a). This staggering number highlights gaps in access to education, driven by factors such as poverty<\/a>, conflict<\/a>, and social exclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This educational deficit has far-reaching consequences, affecting not only individual lives but also the broader socioeconomic development of nations. Barriers to accessing quality education make it more difficult to break cycles of poverty and limit opportunities for future generations (UNESCO, 2024b). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These barriers also hamper economic growth, social mobility, and the overall well-being of communities and countries. Children who are denied education are more likely to face unemployment and engage in low-paying jobs (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2014).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The high rate of uneducated children also has widespread implications for global stability and progress. Uneducated populations are more vulnerable to extremism, political manipulation, and social unrest (Delbruck, 1992). They are less equipped to tackle global challenges such as public health<\/a> crises, technological disruptions, and climate change<\/a>. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected and knowledge-driven, the educational divide threatens to widen the gap between developed and developing nations, exacerbating existing global inequalities (UNESCO, n.d.).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Causes of educational barriers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Poverty<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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Families<\/a> living in poverty often cannot afford school fees, uniforms, or supplies, resulting in high dropout rates. Children from low-income households frequently start school behind their more affluent peers and may be required to work to support their families instead of attending school (National Association of Secondary School Principals [NASSP], n.d.). Factors associated with poverty\u2014such as illness<\/a>, parental illiteracy, and unemployment\u2014increase the risk of not attending school and double the likelihood of dropping out (Ferguson et al., 2007). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, health problems resulting from malnutrition<\/a> can force many children to abandon their education, underscoring the urgent need for interventions that address educational inequity (Cookson, 2020). Education poses significant challenges for children from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. Many of these children lack essential resources for regular school attendance, such as adequate nutrition<\/a>, appropriate clothing, books, and reliable transportation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, in the United States<\/a>, 2.5 million children are in school districts that lack libraries (Langs, 2022). Additionally, many must contribute to their household income, which leaves them with limited time and energy for their studies (National Association of Secondary School Principals, n.d.).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Armed conflict<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In areas affected by war<\/a> or violence<\/a>, the destruction of schools or their repurposing for military use severely limits access to education. For example, since Russia<\/a>\u2019s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine<\/a> has experienced approximately 700 attacks on schools. Airstrikes, shelling, and drone attacks have damaged educational facilities, including those serving students with disabilities<\/a>. The eastern and southern regions of Ukraine have been particularly affected (Human Rights Watch, 2024).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children in these regions often experience trauma<\/a> and instability, which significantly impacts their ability to learn (Tlili et al., 2024). The Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack reports in \u201cEducation under Attack 2024\u201d that approximately 6,000 attacks on educational institutions occurred in 2022 and 2023. The United Nations Children\u2019s Fund (UNICEF, n.d.) emphasizes that such violence violates children\u2019s right to education and jeopardizes their future. The destruction of educational facilities halts learning progress, as classrooms are reduced to rubble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In conflict-affected areas like Sudan<\/a>, additional challenges, such as overcrowded classrooms, insufficient funding, and teacher shortages, further hinder the delivery of quality education. Children also live in constant fear of forced recruitment by armed groups<\/a> or attacks while at school (INEE, 2024). Continuing education in safe environments during armed conflict is vital to providing children with a sense of normalcy, safety, and routine (Rushing, 2023).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discrimination<\/strong><\/a> and marginalization<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Systemic discrimination based on factors such as gender, ethnicity, or disability can prevent certain groups of children from accessing education. Girls<\/a>, for example, often face cultural barriers and safety concerns that hinder their school attendance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In regions such as Arab states<\/a>, Central Asia, and Southern and Western Asia<\/a>, girls face significant obstacles to education due to cultural traditions that prioritize boys\u2019 schooling and assign girls to domestic labor (Outreach International, 2024; UNESCO, 2024c). Social norms reinforce this inequality, pressuring girls to adopt caregiver roles over pursuing formal education (Outreach International, 2024).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Violence and safety concerns further hinder their access\u2014with an estimated 246 million children experiencing harassment and abuse<\/a> on their way to school annually, disproportionately affecting girls (Rodriguez, 2019). Additional barriers include child marriage<\/a> and gender-based violence, perpetuating gender discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marginalized communities also face systemic discrimination that restricts their access to quality education (Watkins, 2010). This discrimination can manifest as underfunded schools in impoverished neighborhoods, a lack of culturally relevant curricula, and biased treatment from educators. For children from Indigenous communities<\/a> or linguistic minorities<\/a>, being taught in a language that is not their mother tongue can pose additional barriers (Cookson, 2020).<\/p>\n\n\n

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Persistent inequality and exclusion are significant obstacles to education (Ferguson et al., 2007). In both developing and developed countries, children are often marginalized due to inequalities related to gender, health, and cultural identity<\/a>, including ethnic origin, language, and religion<\/a> (Watkins, 2010). This marginalization denies them essential learning experiences critical for their intellectual and social development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Natural disasters and climate change<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Natural disasters, such as floods, droughts, and earthquakes, can devastate educational infrastructure, displace communities, and disrupt children\u2019s learning opportunities (UNICEF, 2019). Climate change is an escalating threat to education, particularly in vulnerable regions. Furthermore, in areas experiencing climate-induced migration<\/a>, education systems often struggle to integrate displaced students<\/a>, compounding the challenges faced by both students and schools (UNESCO, 2023a).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The climate crisis<\/a> highlights the urgent need for education systems to adapt and prepare students for a changing world. This involves developing curricula that emphasize sustainability, environmental stewardship, and the skills necessary for green jobs (International Labour Organization, 2019). Education is key to raising awareness about environmental issues, inspiring action, and equipping students to become responsible global citizens (UNESCO, 2023a).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most affected regions facing barriers to education<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sub-Saharan Africa<\/a> remains the most impacted area. More than 20% of children aged roughly 6 to 11 are not enrolled in school, with this figure rising to one-third for youth aged around 12 to 14. UIS data further reveals that close to 60% of those aged 15 to 17 are also not attending school (UNESCO Institute for Statistics, n.d.). This region faces multiple challenges, including economic hardship, conflict, and inadequate infrastructure, all of which hinder the accessibility and quality of available education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Central and Eastern Asia, as well as the Pacific<\/a>, are also severely affected, with more than 27 million uneducated children in these areas (UNICEF, 2024). These regions struggle with issues such as rural-urban disparities, linguistic diversity, and economic constraints that impede universal access to education. In addition, these regions must contend with the ongoing problems of extreme educational poverty (defined as a child receiving less than two years of education) and educational poverty (less than four years of education) (Watkins, 2010). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lack of schooling and poor education quality have significant repercussions. Children leave school without acquiring basic skills, which largely impedes the socioeconomic development of their respective countries (UNESCO, 2023b). Without basic skills, children face limited opportunities, perpetuating cycles of disadvantage and underdevelopment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted education systems worldwide (Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries, 2022; UNESCO, 2023a). At the height of the crisis, school closures impacted more than 1.6 billion students globally (International Labour Organization, 2022; UNESCO, 2023d). The shift to remote learning exposed and intensified existing inequalities, as many students in low-income countries lacked connectivity to the internet, devices, or suitable learning environments at home (World Bank, 2021a).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pandemic resulted in increased dropout rates, especially among marginalized groups. Many children who left school during the lockdowns have not returned, with girls being disproportionately disadvantaged (UNICEF, 2021). The long-term consequences of these disruptions are yet to be fully understood, but they are likely to have lasting effects on educational outcomes and future economic prospects (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2021).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly widened the educational divide. Students from wealthier backgrounds often benefited from private tutoring or alternative educational resources, while those from poorer families fell further behind (Azevedo et al., 2020). This exacerbation of educational inequality threatens to reverse years of progress in improving access to education and reducing poverty (United Nations, 2020).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technology<\/strong><\/a>\u2019s role<\/strong> <\/strong>in education<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The <\/strong>digital divide<\/strong><\/a> in education<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The digital divide in education presents a significant challenge across both developed and developing countries. In the United States, despite being a technologically advanced nation, approximately a third of teenagers face academic challenges due to limited access to technology at home. For instance, 22% of teens often or sometimes rely on their cellphones to complete homework, while 12% report being unable to finish assignments due to unreliable internet or computer access (Langreo, 2022).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This issue is particularly pronounced among low-income households, where 24% of teens struggle with technology access compared to only 8% in wealthier families (Langreo, 2022). Similarly, in the European Union<\/a>, although 70% of homes had broadband internet in 2021, rural areas lag significantly behind, with only 37% of rural households enjoying high-speed access (Masterson, 2022). This disparity underscores the uneven distribution of educational opportunities even in regions with high overall connectivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In many developing countries, deficient infrastructure, such as a reliable source of electricity and internet connectivity, hinders the adoption of digital learning tools (UNESCO, 2021). In sub-Saharan Africa, a staggering 89% of learners lack access to household computers, and 82% do not have internet connectivity (UNESCO, 2023e).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, around 56 million learners reside in areas without mobile network coverage, limiting their access to digital learning tools (UNESCO, 2023e). India has made strides in increasing internet usage. In 2023, rural India had 442 million active internet users, surpassing urban India\u2019s 378 million users (Times of India, 2024).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, the rapid pace of technological change means that education systems must constantly evolve to keep up. To effectively integrate technology into the learning process, it is necessary to invest in infrastructure and devices, teacher training, and curriculum development to support students through various advancements in educational technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opportunities and challenges in educational technology<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Educational technology offers innovative solutions to personalize learning and reach remote students. Adaptive learning platforms, virtual reality experiences, and mobile learning apps have shown promise in engaging students and improving learning outcomes. However, concerns about data privacy<\/a> and the possible adverse effects of excessive screen time<\/a> on young learners must be addressed (M\u00fcller & Goldenberg, 2021; Selwyn, 2019).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, over-reliance on technology may exacerbate inequalities if digital solutions are not implemented thoughtfully (Reich, 2020). It is important to ensure that any technology complements rather than replaces human interaction in education and that solutions are designed with the needs of diverse learners in mind (UNESCO, 2021b).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sustainable Development Goal 4<\/strong><\/a> and international efforts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The United Nations\u2019 (2015) Sustainable Development Goal 4 seeks to \u201censure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all\u201d by 2030. This goal has galvanized global efforts to improve education access and quality. Progress has been made in several areas, including increased enrollment rates in primary education and improved gender parity in many regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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However, the pace of progress is insufficient to meet the 2030 target, particularly considering setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic (World Bank, 2021b). International organizations, governments, and non-governmental organizations are working to accelerate progress through various initiatives, including targeted funding, policy reforms, and innovative educational programs (UNESCO, 2020).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Written by Or Salama<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Internally proofread by Aditi Partha <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last edited on 27 October 2024<\/em> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

References:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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Every child has the right to a quality education. This principle is enshrined in international agreements and recognized as crucial for individual and societal development. However, the global reality of children\u2019s access to education remains complex and challenging. Despite significant progress in recent decades, millions of children worldwide are still deprived of this basic human […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":82698,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-8353","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nChildren\u2019s right to education - Humanium<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Despite progress in recent decades, millions of children worldwide are still deprived of their right to education.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.humanium.org\/en\/right-to-education\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Children\u2019s right to education - 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