The Right to Education is a fundamental human right. It occupies a central place in Human Rights and is essential and indispensable for the exercise of all other human rights and for development. "As an empowerment right, education is the primary vehicle by which economically and socially marginalized adults and children can lift themselves out of poverty, and obtain the means to participate fully in their communities." None of the civil, political, economic and social rights can be exercised by individuals unless they have received a certain minimum education.

But in spite of all the commitments made by Governments under international instruments for providing education for all, especially free and compulsory quality basic education, millions of children still remain deprived of educational opportunities, many of them on account of poverty. Achieving the right to basic education for all is thus one of the biggest moral challenges of our times.

The Constitution Of The People's Republic Of Bangladesh

PART II
Fundamental Principles of State Policy

15. Provision of basic necessities.
It shall be a fundamental responsibility of the State to attain, through planned economic growth, a constant increase of productive forces and a steady improvement in the material and cultural standard of living of the people, with a view to securing to its citizens-

1. the provision of the basic necessities of life, including food, clothing, shelter, education and medical care;

2. the right to work, that is the right to guaranteed employment at a reasonable wage having regard to the quantity and quality of work;

3. the right to reasonable rest, recreation and leisure; and

4. the right to social security, that is to say to public assistance in cases of undeserved want arising from unemployment, illness or disablement, or suffered by widows or orphans or in old age, or in other such cases.

17. Free and compulsory education
The State shall adopt effective measures for the purpose of -

1. establishing a uniform, mass-oriented and universal system of education and extending free and compulsory education to all children to such stage as may be determined by law ;

2. relating education to the needs of society and producing properly trained and motivated citizens to serve those needs;

3. removing illiteracy within such time as may be determined by law.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Adopted and proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) of 10 December 1948

Article 26.

(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.

(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.

(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.

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