Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. (Nelson Mandela)

Education Is A Human Right

Article 26 of the Universal Declaration Of Human Rights states that:

• 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.

• 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.

In addition, the United Nations have published the following goal as part of their Sustainable Development Goals

“Goal 4 – Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”

Education Stats

Recent data shows us that:

• 58 million children are out of school of which 43% will never enter a classroom
• 1 in 10 children worldwide are not in school and so are denied their right to education
• Over 30 million of children globally out of school live in Sub­-Saharan Africa
• Girls are most likely to be excluded from school. For example in Burkina Faso only 27% of rural girls go to school
• The poorer you are the more education costs. For example in the USA, for every dollar the government pays towards education, parents pay $10. In contrast, in Benin parents pay £70 for every dollar the government pays
• Classrooms are overcrowded. In the Central African republic there can be as many as 83 children per classroom
• There is a shortage of resources. In Cameroon as many as 12 pupils may have to share a single textbook
• There is a shortage of teachers. It is estimated that by 2030 27 million teachers will be needed
• 785 million adults in the world are illiterate and have never received an education. Of these, two thirds are women

  

Sources: UNESCO – Data Tell Us (Video)
Right to Education Project
Speaking Books – Global Illiteracy