The right to education: An analysis of the legal provisions in Zambia
Date
2013-05-13
Authors
Matafwali, Beatrice
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Abstract
The importance of education, not only in its own right, but also as a foundation for the realization of all other rights is acknowledged in the reference to education in every key human rights instrument. For instance, the right to education is set out in a number of international agreements. The most significant is the International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights which recognizes the right of everyone to education in terms similar but in greater detail to those in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Other more specific agreements referring to the right to education and which are of particular relevance to the present study include the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights.
The international framework of human rights offers a set of minimum standards for protecting human dignity. However, the international framework does not offer a standard formula for human rights implementation in any given country. Notwithstanding this, the significance of international agreements cannot be underscored. Being a party to these international treaties, Zambia undertakes to comply with these international agreements by ensuring that education is made available and accessible to all citizens. While the resources available will determine the rate at which this is done, the government must take progressive steps towards achieving the relevant standards. This entails that, the international obligations that make the right to education are reflected locally in education policy, legislation and administrative practice.
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Right to education , Educational equalization --Zambia , Educational law and legislation--Zambia