Right to learn

The Convention on the Rights of the Child devotes two articles specifically to education.

Boys and their mentor at a community radio station
© UNICEF/HQ01-0438/ Versiani
Young people in the studio of the 'Avancar' community radio station in the city of Salvador (Brazil)

Article 28 says that primary education should be free and compulsory (required) for all children and that governments should make sure no one is excluded from education because of poverty. Secondary education should also be available to all children.

In its second part, the article also says discipline in schools should respect your human dignity. In other words, teachers should be understanding and tolerant and should not humiliate you or injure you mentally or physically.

Article 29 says that education should develop your personality and abilities to the full. Your education should also teach you to respect your parents, human rights, the environment, and your own and other cultures.

Primary education should be free and compulsory (required) for all children

There are several other rights that are also broadly relevant to education:

  • You should not suffer discrimination (article 2). This is particularly relevant because, in some parts of the world, girls are much less likely to get a good education than boys.
  • What is best for you should always be a primary consideration at school and in all services and facilities provided for your care and development (article 3).
  • You have the right to survive and thrive – to develop yourself physically, mentally, spiritually, morally, psychologically and socially (article 6). In other words, you have the right to conditions enabling you to grow into a healthy and happy person, prepared for life. Clearly education has big part to play in this.
  • You have the right to obtain and share information (article 13).
  • Article 13 also says you have the right to express your opinions. What's more, when adults are making decisions that affect you, your opinions should be given ‘due weight’ according to your age and maturity.
  • You have the right to freedom of thought, and to follow your chosen religion (article 14).
  • You should not have to do work (child labour) that might interfere with your education or otherwise harm your development (article 32).
  • You have a right to relaxation and play and to take part in cultural, artistic and leisure activities appropriate for people your age (article 31).
  • You have the right to be protected from physical and mental injury and abuse, which would include bullying and sexual harassment at school (article 19).
  • Article 24 says that you need access to good facilities such as clean water, nourishing food and a clean environment to keep yourself healthy. When you are not healthy you cannot learn or concentrate as well, and may even have to stop going to school because you are too ill.