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Choice Of Schools By
Parents Is Upheld
GENEVA. — The liberty of parents to ensure the religious
education of their children and to choose schools is
guaranteed in the article on the right to education to be
included in the proposed Covenant on Human Rights.
The article recognises the right
of everyone to education; that edu
cation be accessible to all without
discrimination; that primary edu
cation shall be compulsory and
available to all; that secondary edu
cation shall bo generally available
and shall be made progressively
free; that higher education shall be
equally accessible to all on the
basis of merit.
However, the article states, 'the
obligation of States to establish
systems of free and compulsory pri
mary education shall not be deem
ed Incompatible with the liberty of
parents to choose for their children
schools other than those established
by the State, but which conform to
minimum standards laid down by
the States,' and that the State
shall 'have respect for the liborty
of parents to ensuro the religious
education of their- children In con
formity with their own convic
tions.'
The article also recognises tnat
fundamental education for those
who have not completed the whole
period of their primary education
shall be encouraged.
The Commission on Human
Rights also adopted an article for
inclusion in the Covenant by which
States which have not secured in
all territories under their jurisdic
tion compulsory primary education
undertake within two years to work
out and adopt a detailed plan for
progressive implementation of the
principle of compulsory primary
education free to all.
Another article recognises the
equal rights of men and women to
enjoy all economic, social and cul
tural rights.
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