The UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education, adopted by UNESCO's General Conference in 1960, is at the forefront of UNESCO’s standard-setting instruments in the field of education. It reaffirms that education is a fundamental right and underscores States' obligations to ensure free and compulsory education and bans any form of discrimination while promoting equality of educational opportunity.
While the Convention has so far been ratified by 106 Member States, UNESCO regularly invites states to ratify this crucial instrument that represents a cornerstone of the Education 2030 Agenda and a powerful tool to advance inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
The year 2020 marks sixty years since the adoption by UNESCO’s General Conference of the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education. Today, more than ever, this Convention is of particular relevance to overcome barriers to fully realizing the right to education. The 60th anniversary of this Convention creates an opportunity to accentuate the importance of ratifying the Convention against Discrimination in Education. Member States who are not yet party to the Convention, may engage in the ratification process to show adherence and respect of the country to the rights set forth by this major normative instrument.
Now, more than ever, the Convention is of particular relevance in overcoming barriers to fully realize the right to education. Indeed, while the world was already not on track to achieve international commitments to education prior to Covid-19, this pandemic has exacerbated disparities, with vulnerable students, who are usually more at risk of being discriminated against, at higher risk of being left behind. It is urgent and crucial to build back better, by ensuring that education systems are rights-based, inclusive, non- discriminatory and resilient to disruptive events.
60 years after the adoption of the Convention against discrimination in education, it is time to effectively put an end to all kinds of discrimination and ensure equality of opportunity in education in law and in fact.
- Learn more on the ratification process and find out here if you country has already ratified the Convention.
- You too, say no to discrimination in education and join UNESCO’s #RightToEducation campaign!
- Learn more about UNESCO’s work on the right to education.