The right to education

  • Author: UN General Assembly (37th sess. : 1982-1983)
  • Document source:
  • Date:
    17 December 1982
  The General Assembly, Recalling its resolutions 34/170 of 17 December 1979, 35/191 of 15 December 1980 and 36/152 of 16 December 1981 on the right to education, Recalling the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, adopted by its resolution 2200 A (XXI) of 16 December 1966, which recognizes the right of everyone to education, Bearing in mind the importance of the Convention against Discrimination in Education, adopted on 14 December 1960 by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Reaffirming the paramount importance of the implementation of the right to education for the full development of the human personality and for the enjoyment of other fundamental human rights and freedoms, Recognizing that for the effective implementation of the right to education the eradication of illiteracy has a particular priority and urgency, Convinced that the educational process could bring a substantial contribution to social progress, national development, mutual understanding and co-operation among peoples and to strengthening peace and international security, Recalling that the establishment of the new international economic order requires effective support for the improvement and expansion of educational systems and for the training of specialized personnel and qualified cadres for the economic development of developing countries, Convinced of the topicality and urgency of provisions on education contained in the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade, Recalling that, since its establishment, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has constantly striven for effective realization of the right to education and equality of educational opportunities for all, without distinction as to race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, economic status or birth and that, for many years past, activities directed to securing the right to education and the extension and improvement of educational and training systems in Member States, more particularly in the developing countries, have occupied a central place in that organization's programme, Aware of the important contribution of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to the implementation of the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade with a view to fostering the full implementation of the right to education, Taking note with satisfaction of the interest shown by the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for the implementation of General Assembly resolutions 34/170, 35/191 and 36/152,

1. Takes note of the conclusions of the report of the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, transmitted by a note of the Secretary-General of

19 October 1982;

2. Commends the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for including on a permanent basis the issue of the implementation of the right to education in its medium-term plan;

3. Invites again all States to consider the adoption of appropriate legislative, administrative and other measures, including material guarantees, in order to ensure the full implementation of the right to universal education through, inter alia, free and compulsory primary education, universal and gradually free-of-charge secondary education, equal access to all educational facilities and the access of the young generation to science and culture;

4. Invites all States to give all necessary attention to defining and determining in a more precise manner the means for implementing the provisions concerning the role of education in the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade;

5. Invites all specialized agencies to co-operate with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to ensure education a high priority in the implementation of various programmes and projects, in the framework of the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade;

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