What does the right to education really mean?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain what the right to education means and why it is important.
Key learning points
- A child’s right to education is protected by law under the UNCRC without discrimination.
- Education gives skills, opportunities, empowerment, equality and boosts mental and physical health.
- 251 million children worldwide do not have access to their right to education.
- Natural disasters, conflict or poor government policies can block access to education.
- Malala Yousafzai is a changemaker who advocates for a child’s right to education worldwide.
Keywords
Right - something we are entitled to by law
Education - the way we learn about the world, gain new skills and prepare for the future through school, books or experiences
UNCRC - the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child; a legally binding international agreement that sets out the rights of all children, regardless of their race, religion or abilities
Common misconception
Everyone gets an education.
Some children do not have access to their right to education.
Teacher tip
You could analyse statistics about access to education in your local area or other countries. This can be found at gov.uk.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.All rights are __________, meaning everyone is entitled to them.
Q2.Which organisation is responsible for the UNCRC?
Q3.Put the words in order so that they show what the UDHR stands for.
Q4.The UNCRC was signed by __________ countries.
Q5.Rights are things that we are all __________ to by law.
Q6.Match the start of the sentence with its ending.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How is the right to be educated protected?
Q2.Education helps you in the workplace by giving you skills and ...
Q3.Which statement is true? According to UNICEF, in 2024 ...
Q4.Match the beginning of the sentence with the end.
Q5.Education promotes mental and physical ...
Q6.If we were defining the word, 'right', which would be most accurate?
To help you plan your 7 citizenship lesson on: What does the right to education really mean?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 citizenship lesson on: What does the right to education really mean?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 citizenship lessons from the What rights should all children have? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.