Rights

Every child has the right to an education, which develops their personality, talents and abilities to the full. Primary education must be free for all children.

But around the world, more than 100 million children, the majority of them girls, are still denied their right to go to school. Poor teaching, school buildings and equipment, or poverty, mean that many others don't get the chance to fulfil their potential.

Primary school education is not free in many countries, and the cost means many families aren't able to send their children to school. UNICEF is helping governments abolish school fees in countries such as Mozambique, Uganda, Togo and Kenya. In Kenya, UNICEF has provided £1.5 million to buy education materials like books and pencils, to train teachers, and to repair school buildings.

Many children, especially girls, miss out on an education because it is seen as their job to help out with household chores, such as fetching water for the family. UNICEF works with communities and governments to change attitudes and make sure girls are treated fairly.

For too many children who do go to school, it is not as good an experience as it should be. UNICEF works to make sure that the education children receive is of good quality through our Child-Friendly School (CFS) model. These schools are protective environments with trained teachers and good equipment. We also work to make sure that schools have safe water and proper saniation, including separate toilets for boys and girls.

In the UK, UNICEF works to make sure everyone in school respects each others' rights through UNICEF UK's Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA).