Food and water are the bare essentials for survival. But apart from food to eat, clean water and healthcare, one of the greatest influences on our future is education.

Education for girls has proven to be one of the most important factors in improving quality of life and addressing issues like infant mortality.

But it's not just one of the biggest factors in reducing poverty. It also brings with it access to opportunities and reduces problems like prejudice and discrimination. It is a right, not a privilege.

Access to education is a right under the International Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

Articles 28 and 29 of the CRC outline the right to education. Article 28 states clear regulations:

• Compulsory and free primary education
• Non-discrimination
• Elimination of illiteracy and ignorance
• Easier access to secondary and higher education.

This article is complemented by article 29, which sets out the aims of education

• Child's healthy development of talents and personality
• Respect of human rights and culture,
• Preparation for responsible life in free society

Education is seen not only as a right in itself but also as a means of accessing other fundamental human rights. In a 1999 comment on the implementation of education as a right, the United Nations stated:

“As an empowerment right, education is the primary vehicle by which economically and socially marginalised adults and children can lift themselves out of poverty and obtain means to participate fully in their communities.

Education has a vital role in empowering women, safeguarding children from exploitative and hazardous labour and sexual exploitation, promoting human rights and democracy, protecting the environment, and controlling population growth.”

General Comments of the Economic and Social Council on The Right to Education (Art. 13):.08/12/99.

The right to education is universally recognised, though not always realised. There are many reasons why education has not been universally achieved at the primary school level, including poverty, conflict, discrimination, insecurity and child labour.

Article 32 of the CRC states clearly that:

“States Parties recognise the right of the child to be protected from economic exploitation and from performing any work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the child's education, or to be harmful to the child's health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development.” (emphasis added)

Early in the 20th century minimum age standards for work were linked to completion of schooling (see ILO report: A future without child labour). It was stated that a minimum working age should not be under the minimum age of school completion.

This clearly establishes the link between education and the development of children to their full potential, meaning they are able to benefit their families, community and society through economic and social contributions as adults. Missing out on this foundation contributes to poverty, and exacerbates the use of child labour.