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Subject: Free Education



Submitted by: SETCA, Belgium

Motion Text:

Education is essential for the full development of the human personality. It’s a social well and a basic for social equality. The Pact of New York, the international United Nations Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (“CESCR”), from 3 January 1976, ratified by 149 nations worldwide, states in article 13 : “Higher education shall be made equally accessible to all, on the basis of capacity, by every appropriate means, and in particular by the progressive introduction of free education.”



Today’s European context is evolving to the contrary. The UN-treaty seems to be forgotten: higher education is becoming more and more expensive witch can recognise for example by the situation of the students. These raising costs weigh heavily on family budgets and force students to accept low-paid jobs in evening, night and weekend time to pay for their own education.



We call upon politicians, higher officials, trade union leaders and school boards to live up to article 13 of the United Nations “Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights” by offering free education to human beings in Europe.

We urge the UNI Youth Europa Steering Group to take the necessary actions in order to raise the awareness of this issue amongst our political, economical and union leaders for this case. This item must be put high on all trade union agenda’s.

UN International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR)

(entry into force 3 January 1976)



Article 13

1. The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to education. They agree that education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and the sense of its dignity, and shall strengthen the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

They further agree that education shall enable all persons to participate effectively in a free society, promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations and all racial, ethnic or religious groups, and further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.



2. The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize that, with a view to achieving the full realization of this right:

(a) Primary education shall be compulsory and available free to all;

(b) Secondary education in its different forms, including technical and vocational secondary education, shall be made generally available and accessible to all by every appropriate means, and in particular by the progressive introduction of free education;

(c) Higher education shall be made equally accessible to all, on the basis of capacity, by every appropriate means, and in particular by the progressive introduction of free education;

(d) Fundamental education shall be encouraged or intensified as far as possible for those persons who have not received or completed the whole period of their primary education;

(e) The development of a system of schools at all levels shall be actively pursued, an adequate fellowship system shall be established, and the material conditions of teaching staff shall be continuously improved.



3. The States Parties to the present Covenant undertake to have respect for the liberty of parents and, when applicable, legal guardians to choose for their children schools, other than those established by the public authorities, which conform to such minimum educational standards as may be laid down or approved by the State and to ensure the religious and moral education of their children in conformity with their own convictions.



4. No part of this article shall be construed so as to interfere with the liberty of individuals and bodies to establish and direct educational institutions, subject always to the observance of the principles set forth in paragraph I of this article and to the requirement that the education given in such institutions shall conform to such minimum standards as may be laid down by the State.





Adopted with changes