We all know that education is an important part of a child’s development, but what should an education include? The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) Article 29 answers this question.
This article believes education should do more than teach basic skills. It's about helping children grow in every way, understand their rights, and learn to respect others. Let's look at what Article 29 means for governments and schools and how you can support a comprehensive education for children with our programs in Australia and abroad.
What are the key aims of UNCRC Article 29?
Article 29 sees education as a way to help children develop fully. It prepares them for life, teaching them to respect their rights and those of others. It also encourages understanding and respect for different cultures. Beyond promoting academic success Article 29 says that education should help young people grow into responsible, respectful, and productive members of society.
How does Article 29 promote children's development?
So how does Article 29 actually define and promote this development? Article 29 mandates that government signatories of the UNCRC do everything they can in policymaking, social welfare, and legislation to direct education to:
- Promote the development of children and young people’s personalities and talents to their full potential, including mental, physical, and creative pursuits.
- Develop in young people respect for and awareness of human rights and freedoms
- Foster respect and understanding in children for their family, language, religious beliefs, cultural identity, and values as well as respectfully exposing them to other civilisations and cultures and how they may differ and allowing the child freedom to form their own beliefs and identity.
- Prepare the child for a responsible life in society, especially through fostering tolerance and understanding of equality and friendship between people of all genders, and ethnic, national, and religious groups and respect for the natural environment.
Does Article 29 apply to or prevent private schools?
Whilst Article 29 largely applies to governments it explicitly does not prevent or recommend that children and young people don’t study in places other than state schools. Governments shouldn’t make it so that students can only study in state-provided institutions but should ensure that all educational institutions meet minimum requirements for education standards set out by the government and educate in a way that meets the above points.
NGOs' contribution to Article 29 objectives
Organisations like ours play a big part in making Article 29 supporting the objectives of Article 29. We work to remove barriers to education, advocate for inclusive policies, and provide resources and support to children and communities in need.
Our “Hands on Learning” program, run in more than 130 primary and secondary schools across Australia, shows the importance of fostering and celebrating non-academic talents in education. Article 29 understands that students and young people generally are all different and being exposed to different subjects and methods of learning is important to bring out their potential.
By giving students opportunities to work on artistic and practical projects like running a cafe or working on infrastructure, participants in the program have increased problem-solving skills, collaboration, and communication and are more engaged in their education. A 2021 analysis from 13 schools in the program shows a staggering 95% of participating young people finishing school, getting an apprenticeship, or even a job, not to mention the reported increases in enjoyment and confidence in education.
Help us transform education
At Save the Children Australia, we believe in the power of education as seen in UNCRC Article 29. Our work, like the Hands on Learning project, Working with Kids in WA, and rapidly improving standards in elementary education in PNG, are making a real difference in the education and growth of young people.
Programs like these aren’t possible without help from people like you. Join us in advocating for inclusive policies, support our work with donations, or get involved through volunteering. Together, we can make a difference in children’s lives.