16 December 1981

The right to education

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolutions 34/170 of 17 December 1979 and 35/191 of 15 December 1980 on the right to education,

Recalling the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, adopted by its resolution 2200 A (XXI) of 16 December 1966, which recognizes the right of everyone to education,

Bearing in mind the importance of the Convention against Discrimination in Education, adopted on 14 December 1960 by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization,

Reaffirming the paramount importance of the implementation of the right to education for the full development of human personality and for the enjoyment of other fundamental human rights and freedoms,

Recognizing that for effective implementation of the right to education the eradication of illiteracy has a particular priority and urgency,

Convinced that the educational process could bring a substantial contribution to social progress, national development, mutual understanding and co-operation among peoples and to strengthening peace and international security,

Recalling that the establishment of the new international economic order requires effective support for the improvement and expansion of educational systems and for the training of specialized personnel and qualified cadres for the economic development of the developing countries,

Convinced of the topicality and urgency of provisions on education contained in the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade,

Recalling that, since its establishment, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has constantly striven for effective realization of the right to education and equality of educational opportunities for all, without distinction as to race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, economic status or birth and that, for many years past, activities directed to securing the right to education and the extension and improvement of educational and training systems in Member States, and more particularly in the developing countries, have occupied a central place in that organization's programme,

Taking note with satisfaction of interest shown by the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for the implementation of General Assembly resolutions 34/170 and 35/191,

1. Invites again all States to consider the adoption of appropriate legislative, administrative and other measures, including material guarantees, in order to ensure the full implementation of the right to universal education through, inter alia, free and compulsory primary education, universal and gradually free-of-charge secondary education, equal access to all educational facilities and the access of the young generation to science and culture;

2. Invites all States to give all necessary attention to defining and determining in a more precise manner the means for implementing the provisions concerning the role of education in the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade;

3. Invites all specialized agencies to co-operate with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to ensure education a high priority in the implementation of various programmes and projects, in the framework of the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade;

4. Appeals again to all States, in particular to the developed countries, to support actively through fellowships and other means, including the general increasing of resources for education and training, the efforts of the developing countries in the education and training of national personnel needed in industry, agriculture and other economic and social sectors;

5. Expresses its thanks to the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for the report on the right to education prepared pursuant to General Assembly resolution 35/191;

6. Requests the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to submit to the General Assembly at its thirty-seventh session a report dealing with the questions raised in its resolution 35/191 and also in the present resolution, on the basis of the broad lines of approach established in the draft medium-term plan of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for 1984-1989, with a view to fostering the full implementation of the right to education.