Right to education

THE Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report at the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) is launching a youth campaign, #WhosAccountable to support the enforcement of people’s right to education.

Citizens in almost half the countries of the world are unable to take their governments to court if they violate the right to education although every country has ratified at least one human rights treaty guaranteeing some aspect of the right to education. This right is also guaranteed by 82% of the world’s national constitutions, yet only 55% of countries let citizens take their governments to court for violating the right to education. Citizens have resorted to legal action in only 41% of countries to date.

Legal action in countries where it is possible has prompted changes to unfair legislation and policies. Thus, the judiciary prompted Colombia to establish free primary and secondary education. In Argentina, it obtained an increase in spending on pre-primary education. In India, it allowed for the inclusion in education of children with HIV/Aids, while in South Africa courts obtained improvements in school infrastructure.

The campaign is launched along with a youth version of the 2017/8 GEM Report on Accountability, which demonstrates the power of youth to hold their governments to account for quality, equitable education.

The #FeesMustFall protests that took place in 2015 in South Africa were the largest national student uprising since 1976 and denounced the fact that poorest were being left out of financial aid for higher education. The protests led to a freeze in tuition fees and an inquiry into possible solutions.

One of a set of recommendations published last month foresees the establishment of student loans that would only be reimbursed once a graduate’s income reached a certain level.

Join in the conversation online @ GEMReport / #WhosAccountable Kate Redman Communications and advocacy specialist GEM Report, Unesco