Monitoring the implementation of norms and standards

Monitoring right to education standards
Last update:2 February 2024

Realizing the right to education depends on its effective implementation by countries. To achieve this, state obligations and political commitments under international instruments must be reflected in their constitutions and national legislation and translated into policies and programmes.  

To monitor the implementation of UNESCO鈥, Article VIII of the鈥痮f UNESCO requires Member States to submit reports on the legislative and administrative provisions they have adopted and on other measures taken to implement the conventions and recommendations. require Member States to submit such reports every four years through regular consultations launched by UNESCO. 

罢丑别鈥, part of UNESCO鈥檚 Executive Board, examines the outcome of the consultations and follow-up is given to decisions accordingly adopted by UNESCO鈥檚 Governing Bodies 鈥 the Executive Board and the General Conference.  

The Committee also examines communications relating to cases and questions concerning the exercise of human rights in UNESCO's field of competence.

UNESCO also collaborates with the UN systems on monitoring the right to education by providing contributions to, among others, the , the and the 鈥痮n the status of the implementation of the right to education in the country undergoing review. The UNESCO consultations are valuable sources of information for these contributions. 

Consultations on the implementation of the 1960 Convention and Recommendation

UNESCO periodically launches a consultation on the  and  against Discrimination in Education. These instruments reflect UNESCO鈥檚 constitutional mission of instituting collaboration among nations to 鈥渁dvance the ideal of equality of educational opportunities without regard to race, sex or any distinctions, economic or social.鈥  

The Convention being recognized as a鈥痶he monitoring of the right to education in the context of Education 2030 and the Sustainable Development Agenda is of crucial importance to guarantee government accountability and transparency. More information.

Number of State reports received for the different consultations

Number of State reports received for the different consultations
Source: UNESCO report 鈥楩rom rights to country-level action鈥

Conclusions of the 10th consultation

The last cycle of consultation (10th) of the CADE, launched in 2020, was concluded in 2021 with the presentation of an analytical report synthetizing the findings of the consultation to the Executive Board at its 212th session, followed by the General Conference  at its  41st  session (2021).  An  extended version  of  the report entitled  鈥溾 was  published on  the  occasion of  the  International Mother  Language  Day 2022, and widely disseminated through the UNESCO website and networks actively engaged for the right to education. 

This report highlights the progress made by member states, while presenting the challenges they face in realizing the right to education for all.  Although contexts vary, member states have often faced common challenges, particularly with regard to education policies and governance, equity and inclusion, and quality assurance. These self-assessments and critical reflections have led to a diagnosis that can serve as a prerequisite for establishing long-term solutions for better implementation, at national level, of the right to education in all its dimensions.

UNESCO is launching its 11th consultation on these instruments

  • When? 

In February 2024, the 11th consultation will be launched and the UNESCO Director-General will request Member States to submit national reports on the measures taken for the implementation of these instruments (Conventions for countries that have ratified and Recommendations for all Member States) since the last cycle of consultation, before the deadline of June 2024. These reports will be used for the elaboration of analytical report synthesizing the findings of the consultation.

The Executive  Board  will then  examine  this summary of the reports received from Member States at its 222nd session, followed by the General Conference at its 43rd session (2025).

  • How? 

鈥痺ere prepared by the Secretariat and approved by the Executive Board in  October 2023.  

These Guidelines provide necessary orientations for the preparation of the report covering the period 2021-2024 . As the scope and content of the legal obligations under the right to education are aligned with SDG4 on education, efforts have been made to ensure that the specific components are included in the guidelines and that the guidelines serve as a valuable monitoring tool for measuring progress towards SDG4 targets. 

To encourage the participation of as many Member States as possible, and for reasons of cost-effectiveness, the consultation will also be available online, as was the case for the two previous ones.

  • Why? 

Besides being constitutionally required to report to the Organization on the implementation of UNESCO鈥檚 instruments, participation in consultations offers a valuable opportunity to assess progress and identify challenges, build constructive dialogue with all stakeholders including civil society, and share good practices.鈥&苍产蝉辫;

罢丑别鈥痑nd the interactive tool 鈥樷 are notably enriched by information provided in the context of consultations. 

Based on the previous consultations, reports and mappings have been produced and serve as essential tools for information-sharing and advocacy in connection with the right to education, including: 

Reports analyzing the findings of the consultations

  • 10th Consultation (2021):  
  • 9th Consultation (2017):鈥&苍产蝉辫;
  • 8th Consultation (2013):鈥(37 C/ 26) 
  • 7th Consultation (2007):鈥(34 C/56) 
  • 6th Consultation (1999):鈥(30 C/29) 
  • 5th Consultation (1991):鈥(26 C/31) 
  • 4th Consultation (1985):鈥(23 C/72) 
  • 3rd Consultation (1978):鈥(20 C/40) 
  • 2nd Consultation (1972):鈥(17 C/15) 
  • 1st Consultation (1968):鈥(15 C/10) 

Monitoring of other UNESCO standard-setting instruments

Beyond the Convention and Recommendation against Discrimination in Education, UNESCO also monitors other UNESCO standard-setting instruments, notably:  

  •   
The Right to education: monitoring standard-setting instruments of UNESCO
2008
0000161161
The Right to education: an analysis of UNESCO's standard-setting instruments
Daudet, Yves
Singh, Kishore
2001
0000123817
A Human rights-based approach to Education for All: a framework for the realization of children's right to education and rights within education
United Nations Children's Fund
2007
0000154861