Human rights and equality in education: Introduction

This introductory chapter provides an overview of the relationship between human rights and equality in education. Education has been recognised as a fundamental human right at least since 1948, when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights declared that everyone has the right to free and compulsory education. Importantly, the right extends beyond access to education; it also includes quality education. Indeed, education must be ‘directed to the full development of the human personality’ and ‘promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups’. The right to education has also been recognised in the major international human rights instruments, and in the domestic law of numerous countries. This book then determines what role human rights can play in addressing some of the most challenging issues in the quest for quality education for all.