The UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education, adopted on December 14, 1960, is the first legally binding international instrument dedicated entirely to the right to education. It underscores that education is a fundamental human right and obligates states to ensure free and compulsory primary education, eliminate discrimination, and promote equal educational opportunities for all.

Key provisions of the Convention include:

- Free and Compulsory Primary Education: that primary education should be free and accessible to all children.

- General Availability of Secondary Education: Requires that secondary education, in its various forms, be made generally available and accessible to everyone.

- Equal Access to Higher Education: Ensures that higher education is equally accessible to all based on individual capacity.

- Equivalent Standards in Public Education:  Stipulates that all public educational institutions of the same level should maintain equivalent standards and quality.

- Opportunities for Continuing Education: Provides opportunities for individuals who have not completed primary education to continue their education.

- Non-Discriminatory Teacher Training: Promotes training opportunities for the teaching profession without discrimination.

As of now, 110 states have ratified the Convention, committing to implement its provisions and uphold the right to education without discrimination.

The Convention remains highly relevant today, especially in light of challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which has exacerbated educational disparities. It serves as a critical framework for addressing barriers to education and ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

https://www.unesco.org/en/right-education/convention-against-discrimination?