Observatory on the Right to Education
UNESCO’s Observatory on the right to education proposes key information and resources related to the implementation of this fundamental human right in all UNESCO Member States. This unique online tool supports the monitoring of education rights in Member States, drives impactful research, fosters government accountability, keeps everyone informed about their educational rights and duties, and promotes meaningful cooperation.
Users will find information on constitutional and legislative frameworks, educational policies, and on the monitoring of the implementation of international standard-setting instruments.
Based on available data, the Observatory offers an accessible overview of countries’ efforts to comply with their international obligations.
The data is regularly updated providing users with access to the latest information.
Rationale and objectives
The effective implementation of the right to education is fundamental to strengthening education systems, making them more responsive, resilient, efficient, and equitable. Monitoring this implementation is essential for identifying gaps, addressing challenges, and fostering accountability, which collectively contribute to the realization of this right.
The Observatory serves as a platform to support these efforts by:
- Showcasing good practices in the implementation of the right to education, offering actionable insights and inspiration for policy makers and practitioners.
- Facilitating knowledge exchange to strengthen legal, policy and institutional frameworks supporting education rights worldwide.
- Providing reliable, up-to-date data and resources, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions and drive impactful reforms.
By promoting cooperation and innovation, the Observatory contributes to the global effort to make the right to education a reality for all.
Country overviews
Country overviews are organized in five categories:
- Status of ratification of human rights treaties in relation to the right to education
- Monitoring of the implementation of this right through:
- UNESCO consultations on education-related normative instruments, including on the 1960 Convention and Recommendation against Discrimination in Education.
- Recommendations and Concluding Observations from UN human rights monitoring mechanisms.
- Constitutional framework
- Legal and administrative framework
- Implementation of the right to education according to the following areas: education content and quality, education levels, education management, and inclusive education and non-discrimination.
Relying on official documents, the information provided comes directly from UN human rights monitoring mechanisms, national legal, regulatory and policy texts, and national periodic reports, including reports submitted to UNESCO for the periodic consultations on education standard-setting instruments. The content does not include any analysis on the implementation of the right to education. The Observatory does not intend to provide a comprehensive or exhaustive picture of the country situation.
Repository
The repository is a unique source of over 1,700 documents including countries’ constitutions, decrees, laws, programmes, plans and national reports submitted for UNESCO consultations. You can search the repository by selecting a country, regional groups, a type of document and/or country groups.
Languages
Country profiles are written in English or in French. The repository offers the possibility of obtaining available official texts in other languages.
Her Atlas
Advocacy tool mapping the right to education of girls and women to encourage countries to take action, strengthen their laws and policies, and lead to long term change.
