Is There a Right to an Education?

One of the most deeply held assumptions of the modern world is that education is a fundamental human right. This “right” to an education is said to be so basic, so essential to human dignity, that only the State can assume the responsibility of providing it for every child because not every parent can or will ensure that his or her children will be properly educated.

The classic statement upholding and extending the logic of this principle is contained in the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states, “Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory (Article 26, item 1, emphasis added).”